Jerry Waldo Bennett

Jerry Bennett, 90, of Wessington Springs, SD, died Monday, October 6, 2025, at Aurora-Brule Nursing Home in White Lake, SD. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 11, at the Wessington Springs Methodist Church in Wessington Springs, SD. Burial will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Friday, October 10, from 5-7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service at Wessington Springs United Methodist Church. Jerry Waldo Bennett was born on August 22, 1935, in Anina Township to Edna (Kellogg) and Fay Bennett. He attended high school in Wessington Springs and graduated in 1954. He competed in football and track while in high school. The most memorable achievements were the undefeated season during his senior year of football and his high jump record, which stood for many years. Jerry married Arliss (Wenzel) on May 19, 1957; they shared 65 years in partnership. After the wedding, Jerry and Arliss relocated to Seattle, Washington, where the Boeing Company employed them; Jerry worked with a team manufacturing planes, and Arliss was in the administrative offices. He realized while working for a boss that he wanted to be his own boss, and so they moved back to Wessington Springs in 1963, where he and Arliss bought their land. Initially, they raised milk cows until after their children were born. Then they raised cattle, sheep, and Appaloosa horses. They were proud of the AJ Bar Ranch and all they accomplished over the years in growing their family business. Jerry was very good with dogs, training their farm dogs to herd and spoiling the house dogs. In his later years, he enjoyed camping, fishing, shooting trap, and reading. He was an exceptional shot. Jerry and Arliss retired in 2001, enjoying several years living in Wessington Springs, where Jerry would walk the dog daily for a couple of miles. They moved to Mitchell in 2017 to be closer to family. Jerry entered the Aurora-Brule Nursing home in 2023, where he spent time until his passing on October 6, 2025, while surrounded by family. Jerry is survived by his daughter, Pamela Bennett (special friend Mark Parrott); son, Casey (Marlene) Bennett; grandsons, Riley, Maxwell, and Lukas Bennett. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arliss; his parents, Fay and Edna Bennett; his brother, Russell Bennett; his grandparents; his in-laws, Marie and Harold Wenzel.