Jerome "Jerry" Struck

1939 - 2025

Jerome "Jerry" Struck passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 7:00 p.m. on September 29, 2025, in hospice at Holy Rosary Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Jerry was born in 1939 to Zenas and Adelia (Barnstorf) Struck. He grew up in Parshall, North Dakota, until age 13, when his family moved to Minot after his father purchased a gas station. Three years later, when the business closed, his father found work in the Ford service department in Miles City, Montana. Jerry, then 16, chose to remain in Parshall to finish high school while living with his grandmother, Helen Barnstorf. He graduated in 1957 before joining his family in Miles City.

In Miles City, Jerry worked a variety of jobs, including a period as an orderly at the local hospital-a role he jokingly told his sons, Michael and Mark, he was a "brain surgeon." His playful humor was a hallmark of his personality throughout his life.

Jerry later found his true calling at A&T Supply, a farm and ranch store that served the agricultural community of eastern Montana. Known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone who walked through the door, Jerry built a career and reputation that became central to his life. In 1961, he volunteered for the National Guard and returned to A&T Supply after 6 months of training. Over time, he became a co-owner of the business, eventually selling the business in 1994 and "retiring" at age 55. After completing a long-deferred household projects list, he returned to work at Murdoch's, which had purchased A&T Supply. Jerry was happiest when he kept himself busy.

Jerry met Billie "Gayle" Shull in 1963 at a wedding party. Though they lived 150 miles apart-Jerry in Miles City and Gayle in Billings-their relationship grew, and they were married in 1967. Together they built a home in Miles City, where they raised two sons, Michael (born 1968) and Mark (born 1971). Jerry was described by Gayle's family as always cheerful and a joy to be around. He embodied the hard-working spirit of his family and shared his father's gift for fixing mechanical things. In retirement, he especially enjoyed repairing chainsaws for friends and neighbors.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Zenas and Adelia Struck. He is survived by his devoted wife, Billie Gayle Struck of Miles City; his sons, Michael (Dena) Struck of Seattle, Washington, and Mark Struck of Billings, Montana; his brothers, Allen (Betty) Struck of Rexburg, Idaho, Kenny (Patty) Struck of Miles City, and Terry (Patti) Struck of Billings, Montana; and his sister, Renae (Richard) Helzer of Windsor, Colorado. He was the first of his immediate family to pass and will be dearly missed by all.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on September 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, with a reception to follow at the Parlor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miles City Hospice of Holy Rosary, whose compassionate care brought comfort to Jerry in his final weeks. Jerome "Jerry" Struck