Jerry Michael Simunek

Jerry Michael Simunek
September 21, 1950 – May 31, 2025
After a hard- fought battle, Jerry "Mike" Simunek went to His Heavenly Home to be with all of those he knew and loved who had made the journey before him.
Mike was born in Gregory, SD to Jerry Ralph and Clara Marie (Hotz) Simunek. He shared his life in Gregory with his siblings, Larry, Sharon, Shirley, Cathy and David.
As a young boy growing up in Gregory, Mike was always finding things to do; hunting rabbits and pheasant, fishing with his grandpa and uncles, picking pop bottles out of highway ditches for spending money, helping his family and neighbors on their farms and ranches and participating as an altar server for the local Catholic parish. The boy never sat still, always on the move.
Mike graduated from Gregory High School in 1968. After graduating, Mike moved to Omaha, NE to work briefly as a forklift operator for the Campbell Soup Company before enlisting to serve His country in the United States Army where he became a motor Sergeant during his tour in Vietnam. Upon His return to the states, Specialist 5 Simunek met the "Love of His Life", Jan Elizabeth Bartling.
Mike and Jan were married June 5,1971, in Burke SD. For a time they returned to Ft. Sill Oklahoma where Mike was stationed. After Mike's honorable discharge from the Army, they moved back to Omaha, where Mike worked as a letter carrier for the USPS.
Moving back to South Dakota, Mike apprenticed at Zimmerman Hardware in Colome SD and became a licensed electrician and plumber through the GI Bill. He eventually started His own business in Colome, "Simunek Electric". He served on the Colome City Council, and was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Jaycees while in Colome.
Mike and Jan welcomed three little ones into their lives; Grant, Elizabeth and Cydnie. They always loved the Black Hills so in 1981 when opportunity presented itself, they moved their little family to Hot Springs, SD, where they worked together to build their first home in Hot Brook Canyon.
Mike found employment with Hills Materials Co. where he eventually became one of their Aggregate Production Managers, managing the Crusher Operation. He was certified by ATF, MSHA, and DENR and was a member of the Society of Blasting Engineers.
Mike and Jan later moved to town while their daughters attended High School and from there a move South of town to build their forever retirement home. After deciding He had "chased enough snakes" Mike retired from the work force to enjoy time in his shop where he enjoyed building blue bird houses for his neighbors and friends, manufacturing things and making improvements around their home. He especially enjoyed visits from the grandchildren and spending time at the lake, pulling them on the tube with his pontoon. He also enjoyed camping, fishing and boating with Jan. He especially loved their long morning walks together and of course chatting with neighbors when they stopped by his shop.
In his retirement he volunteered and served on the Pineshadows Road District for 8 years and supervised road maintenance for them for 15 years.
He is survived by his wife Jan, daughter Elizabeth and Husband Glen Peterson of Golden CO., daughter Cydnie and husband Tim Duffy of Loveland CO, His "Joy", his grandchildren; Avery, Lane and Daely Peterson and Logan, Garrett and Lucy Duffy. His brothers Larry Simunek and David Simunek of Rapid City SD, sister Shirley Brown and husband Larry of Omaha, NE, sister-in-law Sherri Raschke of Burke, SD, brother- in- law Bart Bartling and wife Julie of Gregory, SD, sister-in-law Laurie Wernke and husband Douglas of Lennox, SD, brother-in-law Matthew Bartling of Herrick, SD, sister-in-law Krista Holliday and husband Dean of Orchard NE and his many loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by His son, Grant Edward, his parents and grandparents, his sisters; Sharon Barney and Cathy Aeschlimann and his brother-in-law Jay Bartling.
His guidance, quiet strength and loving Bear Hugs will forever be imprinted on our Hearts.
Graveside Services will be held with Military Honors on Friday, August 1st at 10;30 a.m at Highland Cemetery South on Highway 71 near the Wild Horse Sanctuary.