Gerald Donald Geffre

The funeral service for Gerald Donald Geffre, 90, of Leola, SD, will be 2:00pm, Monday, October 20, 2025, at St. James Lutheran Church, Leola, with Pastor Gary Compton officiating. Burial will follow at Green Mound Cemetery with Military honors by Roy S. Hickman American Legion Post 78. Gerald died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, SD.
Visitation will be from 11:00am to 2:00pm, Monday, October 20, at the church in Leola. Arrangements by Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.
Gerald Donald Geffre was born January 16, 1935, to Louis Carl and Emma (Lechner) Geffre on a farm eight miles north of Leola. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in the Leola area. Gerald joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He returned home to help his father on the farm and later took over the farm operations.
Gerald was united in marriage to Betty Ann Renz on September 25, 1960, at the Baptist Church in Eureka, SD. Together, "like a team of horses," they made their home on the farm near Leola and continued together for 65 years. Gerald worked for the ASCS and did grass seedings for the soil district. He also was a feed and seed salesman, drove bus, and ran a dairy farm. He and Betty also had rodeo stock and took ponies all around the area for pony rides. Gerald also ran the Leola Grocery store and did carpentry work.
Gerald was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Leola. He had served as treasurer of the United Methodist Church when he attended it. Gerald was also a member of the Roy S. Hickman American Legion for many years and served on the color guard. He was honored with the Hometown Hero Award which recognized his selfless service, dedication and volunteerism to better his community. He served on the museum board and was a member of the Leola Trail Riders. Hunting, fishing, and attending rodeos were some of his favorite pastimes. In later years, Gerald spent many hours watching rodeos on TV. He liked playing Auction 66 and Farkle with his family. Gerald really enjoyed his last job, which was working for his neighbor, Ken Shafer.
Grateful for having shared Gerald's life are his wife Betty Geffre; children: Marsha (Mike) Lapka, Brian (Susan) Geffre, and Nolan Geffre; his grandchildren: Megan (Jon) McMahon, Jon (Kayla) Geffre and Jennifer Geffre and her partner, Siddarth Rajavelu; step grandchild, Callie VanEck; great-grandchildren: Jem McMahon, Harper and Iona Geffre; step great-grandchildren Cayson and Coda Hoss; his sister, Irene Jensen; brother-in-law, Garrold (Charlotte) Friese; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Gerald in death are his parents, his daughter, Brenda Geffre, siblings: Harold Geffre and Darlene Friese; grandson-in-law, Travis Pineur; brother-in-law, Wayne Jensen; sister-in-law, Lea Geffre, and several nieces and nephews.