Gerald Dean "Jerry" Evans

Lake Andes – Gerald "Jerry" Dean Evans Sr., 75, went to his heavenly home Monday, December 1, 2025 at Avera McKennan Hospital. A Celebration of Jerry's Life will be held Saturday, December 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Auxiliary Gym of Andes Central High School in Lake Andes.

Jerry was born March 19, 1950 in Wagner, SD to Mona (Johnson) and Hoyle Evans. He grew up on the family homestead near Lake Andes, SD. He attended Country School through the 8th grade and Lake Andes Public School before graduating from Andes Central High School in 1968. During his high school years, he was affectionately known as "Curly" for his golden curls. From 1968 until 1971, Jerry worked part - time at the Wildlife Refuge. He went on to attend Springfield College, earning a degree in Computer Technology in 1971. On June 26, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Jane Birger, in Lake Andes. The couple moved to Scottsbluff, NE where Jerry worked for the National Cash Register (NCR). After the passing of his father in the spring of 1972, Jerry and his family returned to Lake Andes where Jerry worked part-time with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Maintenance Department. In August 1973, he purchased the farm near the Evans Homestead and began farming alongside his brother, Bill.

Jerry began dairy farming in the fall of 1974, proudly remembering his very first dairy check of $400 and declaring he felt "rich". In 1980, he built a new dairy barn which increased the heard from 30 to 99 cows, all milked twice a day. The family continued dairy farming until January 1997, when the cows were sold as hired help went off to college and Jane's health declined. Jerry continued grain farming while raising beef cattle and Holstein heifers until 2001 at which time he transitioned to raising goats until 2008. Beyond farming, he worked at Bomgaars in Wagner as Assistant Store Manager from 2001 to 2007 and Lake Andes Health Care Center Maintenance Department from 2007 until his retirement in 2016.

Jerry was a proud member of the Lake Andes Fire Department and served on its board for many years. He cherished his morning routine of gathering for coffee at the LA Coop Elevator and catching up on local news with neighboring farmers and friends. Jerry enjoyed racing at the Lake Andes Speedway with his brother, Bill, during his high school years. In 1990, he returned to the track, racing hobby stock car #40. He was also an avid NASCAR fan and movie enthusiast. From 2017 to 2025, he drove the preschool bus for Andes Central School, a role he took great joy in. Since 1974, Jerry proudly hosted the annual Evans Pheasant Hunt on his farm, a tradition beloved by family and friends. He and Jane shared a deep love for music and dancing, often using both to bring joy to their hard days of farm life. Jerry went to his heavenly home Monday, December 1, 2025 at Avera McKennan Hospital at the age of 75.

Grateful for having shared his life are his two daughters: Jenny (Burgess) Zephier of Pickstown, SD and Penny (Austin) Brunken of Sioux Falls, SD; a son, JD Evans of Salem, SD; grandchildren: Megan, Halley (George Schwebach), Caleb, and Jesse Zephier; Ray, Ruby, and Ross Brunken; and Avery and Carter Evans; three brothers, Steve Evans of Yankton, SD, Daniel (Roxanne) Evans of Centerville, SD, and Ron Evans of Yankton; and a sister, Betty (Eugene) Grate of Yankton; two sisters-in-law, Janet Anderson of Bassett, NE, Linda (David) Shelton of Sioux Falls, SD; and brother-in-law, Charles (Normandy) Birger of Colorado Springs,CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyle and Mona Evans; wife, Jane (Birger) Evans; two brothers, Walter and Bill Evans; sisters-in-law, Rhonda and Evelyn Evans; brother-in-law, Joe Anderson; mother-in-law, Margaret (Matuska) Birger; and father-in-law, Raymond Birger.

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