Jerald L. Johnson

** FUNERAL DELAYED BY WINTER STORM ** Visitation March 29th as planned.Funeral delayed until April 6th.Jerald L. Johnson age 70 of Belle Fourche, died Monday March 23, 2009 at the University Of Colorado Hospital in Denver, Colorado with his loving wife by his side. The funeral service will be held 10am Monday APRIL 6th, 2009 at the Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Paul Howard officiating.  Visitation will be held 4 to 7 pm Sunday March 29th, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in Black Hills National Cemetery, near Sturgis.  Military Honors will be provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard and the SD State Highway Patrol Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or living donations of blood and blood products with United Blood Services would be appreciated. Jerald LaVern Johnson was born October 5, 1938 in Webster, South Dakota.  He was the son of Lawrence and Evelyn (Moen) Johnson.  Jerry grew up on a family farm near Sisseton and he later moved with his family into Sisseton where he graduated from high school in 1956.  For one year he attended USD in Vermillion, before entering the U.S. Army where he served in the 101st  Airborne.  In 1961 he became the Roberts County Deputy Sheriff and in 1967 he began his service in the SD State Highway Patrol and was stationed in Freeman.  In 1974 he was transferred to Belle Fourche and he retired in June of 1987 after 20 years of service.  In January of 1988 Jerry started his 20 year career in insurance, with Farm Bureau.  He retired this past October of 2008. Jerry married the love of his life, Judy Petterson, on December 15, 1962 in Victor, South Dakota.  Together they cherished many fun events that mostly centered upon their family.  Jerry loved hunting and was fortunate to have been on many hunts with his family.  The annual three night family camp-out will be remembered forever, as well as so many other great times.  Jerald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judy of Belle Fourche; daughters, Jacki (Sandy) Limpert of Buffalo and their son Brodie, Audrey (Tyler) Bickerdyke and their boys, Chase and Cade of Belle Fourche; son, David (Jennifer) and their children, Dawson, Walker, Jorgen, Asa of Bismarck, Tel Johnson of Spearfish; brother, Ron (Diane) Johnson of Sturgis; sisters, Joann Huntington of Sisseton SD, Diane (Casey) Russell of Aberdeen SD; and several nieces and nephews.   He is also survived by a close family friend, Leanne Best and her children, Braeden and Kellie of Mackay, Australia. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Courtney Limpert. DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH October 5, 1938 ~ Webster, South Dakota DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH March 23, 2009 ~ Denver, Colorado        FUNERAL SERVICE 10:00 A.M. ~ April 6, 2009 Christian Life Center ~ Belle Fourche, SD OFFICIANT Rev. Paul Howard SPECIAL MUSIC “The River”, Jeff Rohr, soloist “Daddy’s Hands”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, Terri Kissack, soloist Recessional Hymn – “Blessed Assurance” Judy Howard, organist HONORARY CASKETBEARERS Lee and Bonnie Bentley    ~    Dale and Janet Hilgeman Keith and Velma McDonald    ~    Millie Russell ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS Brodie Limpert                                                     Pat Deering Dawson Johnson                                           Jeremy Jackson Tel Johnson                                                   Casey McDonald INTERMENT Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota Military Rites By Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard SD State Highway Patrol Honor Guard