Gerald "Jerry" C. Rachetto, 78, passed away on January 14, 2024, at Avantara St. Cloud Nursing Home in Rapid City, SD, after battling Alzheimer's Disease for several years. He was born July 31, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Frank and Ruth Rachetto.

Jerry graduated from Deadwood High School in 1963. He attended Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado, graduating with a degree in accounting while competing in ski jumping. This is where he met his wife of 54 years.  He attended law school at the University of Denver and graduated in 1970.

He started his law practice in Deadwood and was privileged to practice in the community for 45 years. He was also involved in helping start the Lead Deadwood High School Golf Team with his wife, and coached golf for over 20 years, including his own children. He started the Junior Recreation Ski Program at Deer Mountain Ski Resort. He loved spending time golfing at Boulder Canyon Country Club with his family and friends. In 2020-2022, despite Jerry's illness, he became a member at Arrowhead Country Club and played many rounds of golf with his son, Tyler and grandson, Keegan. He also watched his grandson Keegan win numerous SDGA junior golf tournaments. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a man strong in his Catholic faith and enjoyed cheering on his favorite NFL football team, the Denver Broncos.

He is survived by his wife: Joan; his children: Trent, Aprille Ostert (Blake), Tyler (Jessica); and his grandkids: Presley, and Easton Ostert, Keegan, and Nolan Rachetto, Tyler (Allison) Percevich; and great grandson, John.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Lead on Friday, January 19, 2024, with a closed casket visitation at 9:00 a.m. and funeral services to begin at 10:00 a.m. with an internment following at Oakridge Cemetery in Deadwood.

A memorial was established for First Tee of South Dakota with the South Dakota Golf Association Junior Golf Foundation.

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