Larry Jerde

Larry Jerde, 60 of Watertown passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 07, 2011 in Watertown. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown, Rev. Iver Possehl officiating, burial will be at Ortley Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday 5-7 P.M. at the church in Watertown with a 6:30 P.M. prayer service. Larry Jerde was born on Friday, December 8, 1950 to Verle and Shirley (Peeper) Jerde at Webster, South Dakota. The family lived on a farm in Egeland Township, Day County, south of Waubay. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waubay. He started country school near his home and graduated from Waubay High School in 1969 then continued his education at S.D.S.U. in Brookings and then transferred to North State College where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in 1973. In 1975 he obtained his Certified Public Accountant license. On January 25, 1971 he married Krista McKane at Waubay, to this union four daughters were born. The couple made their home in Aberdeen where he worked for Harlan Peterson accounting firm. In 1977 they moved to Gillette, Wyoming and in 1978 moved to Watertown. He started his own accounting firm in 1979 and operated for 31 years until the present time. He was united in marriage to Glenda Long on April 8, 1989. After they joined their families together, they raised nine children in Watertown. As Larry would say they were two fools collided," but they raised their kids together as one in love making a house a home. Larry and Glenda worked together side by side to build Larrys accounting firm into what it is today. He was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church where he served as Treasurer for several years. Larry was a son, brother, father, grandpa and friend. He had many interests including riding motorcycle, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and riding horse, or relaxing at the cabin on Pickerel lake, which we have all experienced with him one way or another. His favorite hobby was his work, he loved accounting and strived to do the best in it. He was missed by many during those long hard days and nights that sooner or later turned into long months. We couldnt wait for tax season to be over so we could spend the rare, extra time with him. He loved to celebrate holidays with family, we could all come together to eat drink, and either go snowmobiling or be pulled behind the boat, where you may have been skipped across the water after getting dumped off the tube.. Larry was a giving person with a big heart who tried to make sure everyone lived happily and comfortably. You could always count on him if you were in a jam. Larry was always one to bring good conversation with informational topics that would later be useful to others in their lives. Larry always gave laughs and entertainment to everyone around him, there was never a dull moment. Larry will be missed, but always kept in our hearts. Larry passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 60 years, 5 months and 30 days. He is survived by his wife, Glenda of Watertown; four daughters, Candy Jerde of Watertown, Tanya (Charles) Jones of Milbank, Trisha Jerde of Tempe, AZ and Carmen Jerde ( special friend, Darin Gruba) of Milbank; two step-sons, Jess (Kristin) Haman of Sioux Falls and Jason Hamman of Colton; two step-daughters, Stacey (Travis) Denison of Lake Preston and Stephanie Utne ( special friend, Jeff Koehn) of Watertown; his mother, Shirley Jerde of Waubay; two brothers, Alan (Dede) Jerde of Waubay and Dale (Brenda) Jerde of Florence; one sister, Karen Mikkelson of Watertown; nine grandsons and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his father and a step-daughter.