Jerome "Jerry" Fiedler

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Jerome "Jerry" Fiedler, age 86, of Brookings, SD, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. A Visitation will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Always a South Dakotan at heart, Jerome (Jerry) Fiedler was born in Mobridge on September 7, 1939, to Carl and Adriane (Kinney) Fiedler. He grew up in Kaylor, Hosmer, and Vienna, graduating from Peever High School, where he met and soon wed his lifelong love, Mary Hortness. The two graduated Huron College, and Jerry began his career as the Huron Public Schools' Business Manager. This position (1962 – 1967) also meant serving as the Huron Arena Business Manager – an exciting position where nightly and weekend activities might include a circus or an ice show, a convention, big-time entertainers and such. However, the schedule allowed little family time, and daughter Janet and son David had arrived on the scene.

A move to Brookings in 1967 provided a slower pace and pursuit of advanced degrees for both parents. There Jerry served a variety of positions in the SDSU Finance Department – until his retirement as Chief Business Officer in 2005, and throughout he became very involved in the community.

He loved all things South Dakota, Brookings, and SDSU, and of course Jackrabbit and Bobcat sports. Yet he could also be found enjoying speakers, concerts, or theatrical performances, especially when children and grandchildren were involved. Janet and David and later their children could always count on Grandpa's presence at any performance or activity, and he seldom disappointed them. "I'm so proud of you," was his constant refrain.

Ascension Lutheran Church was always important to Jerry. He participated on a number of boards and committees and became actively involved in the early days of Feeding Brookings. He particularly enjoyed serving on the campus Lutheran Student Center Board and being on the board for Lutherans Outdoors in SD, both of which he continued to be interested in and to support thereafter.

There was fun, too, in being an outdoors enthusiast. Jerry loved both quiet and active pastimes with family and friends at the cabin on Lake Poinsett. He enjoyed fishing in all seasons, water skiing, golfing, hunting, biking, and cross-country skiing – all until Parkinson's disease began to rob him of the ability to fully participate.

Reading, always a passion of his, had introduced Jerry to numerous varied vacation destinations. It presented the goal of visiting all 50 states and 50 national parks. Although not fully reached (only 48 and 43 respectively), the goal was fun to attempt, and continued reading became a fulfilling pastime in later years.

Jerry's last three years were spent at Stoney Brook Suites Assisted Living and then the Neighborhoods at Brookview, continuing the Parkinson battle. He appreciated fine care there until his death on Christmas Day, 2025, at age 86.

Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include his wife of 68 years Mary; daughter Janet (George) Newman and son David Fiedler; five grandchildren: Vance (Jessica) Newman, Danielle (Bill) Meyer, Kayla (Cole) Ponto, Keith (Lydia) Newman, and Marty Fiedler; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters Lorna Chronerberry, Joyce (Phil) Estrem, Donna (David) Kloker, Susan (Rodney) Minarik, Margie Fiedler; Kari Fiedler; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be designated for the Jerome and Mary Fiedler Education Scholarship at SDSU Foundation, Ascension Lutheran Feeding Brookings, or a charity of your choice.