Jerry Frailing

Funeral services for Jerry Frailing, 86, of Mobridge, will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Kesling Funeral Home Chapel in Mobridge. Visitation will start one hour prior to services. Jerry passed away, Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Walworth County Care Center.

Jerry Joseph Frailing, 86, of Mobridge, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Jerry was born on February 11, 1939, in Iron River, Michigan, to Edna (Frechette) Frailing and Everett Frailing. He grew up in Iron River, where he worked for the family creamery delivering milk and ran a paper route; early signs of the hard work and determination that would carry through his life. He graduated from high school in 1958 and soon after served his country in the U.S. Army for three years.

After his service, Jerry moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he attended radio broadcasting school. It was there he met Janice Johnson, and the two were married on April 27, 1963, in Iron River. They welcomed their first child, Timothy Joseph, in 1963 in Milwaukee.

A radio job at KYNT brought the young family to Yankton, South Dakota in 1964 where Jerry became known on-air as "Mitch Michaels." Soon after their move to Yankton, they welcomed their daughter, Linn "Sassy" Marie. Along with broadcasting, Jerry worked at Coca-Cola and Cimpl Packing Co., but it was behind home plate where he really found his second calling. Jerry began umpiring baseball games, eventually serving as president of the South Dakota Umpires Association. In 1988, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame, a proud honor for a man who loved the game.

In 1982, Jerry and Janice bought Bridge City Bait and made Mobridge their home. With his endless energy and entrepreneurial spirit, Jerry expanded the business into Bridge City Marina in 1986. He guided, did taxidermy, built cabins, and even planted 1,000 trees, earning recognition from the State of South Dakota for his efforts.

After selling the marina, Jerry and Janice bought a home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. They enjoyed spending their winters there, while still soaking in their summers back home in Mobridge.

Community was at the heart of Jerry's life. He served as a Walworth County Commissioner and was active in the Mobridge American Legion and Moose Club. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, golfing, and shooting a good game of pool. A lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, Jerry even had the chance to meet Vince Lombardi and share a round of golf with him.

More than anything, Jerry was a people person. He never met a stranger and always had time for a story, a laugh, or a chat, whether you were a lifelong friend or someone he had just met at the bait shop. His quick wit, tall tales, and big heart left an impression on everyone lucky enough to know him.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice; his son Tim (Connie) Frailing of Mobridge; grandchildren Riley (Shelby) Frailing of Elmwood, NE, Rachel (Brian) Hanson of Mobridge, and Ross Frailing of Mobridge; great-grandchildren Hank, Ruby, and Novella; brothers Don Jim (Nancy) Frailing of Marquette, MI, and David Frailing of Iron River, MI; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Everett and Cecelia Frailing; his mother, Edna (Frechette) Frailing; his daughter, Linn "Sassy" Frailing; and his sister, Donna (Mike) Balin.

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