Gerald A. "Gerry" Christopherson, 77, died from cancer January 12th, at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in Sturgis at a later date.

Gerry was born October 28th, 1932, and grew up on a farm near Irene, SD. After graduating from Irene High School in 1950 he attended Augustana College. While at Augie, Gerry became well-known for his beautiful voice, singing solos at many events. After three years at Augustana, he joined the US Air Force and became a pilot, flying jet fighters in the active Air Force and the Air Guard. He graduated from Augustana in June 1957, three days after marrying the love of his life Anne Shepler. After a brief stint of crop dusting, Gerry attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. After interning in Aberdeen, SD, he put his seminary education on hold to return to the active duty Air Force. In 1963 he returned to seminary and was ordained into the ministry at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls in June 1964. Gerry served parishes in Devils Lake, ND (1964-66), Mitchell, SD (1966-68), and Sturgis, SD (1968-81). From 1981 to 1990 Gerry was a hospital chaplain at Rapid City Regional Hospital before returning to the parish ministry in 1991 at Trinity Lutheran in Madison. After retiring in 1997 Gerry and Anne moved to Sioux Falls and also enjoyed a winter residence in Sun City, Arizona.

Gerry's life was marked by service to others. In addition to his ministry, he served a total of 31 years in the Air Force, Air Guard, and Army National Guard, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He was a volunteer ambulance driver in Meade County, and volunteered at Avera McKennan hospital, Prince of Peace, Dougherty Hospice, and Mended Hearts, which helps people who have undergone heart surgery as he had. Gerry served as SD State Chaplain for the SD Army National Guard and the Jaycees, and was a member of Rotary and Kiwanis in addition to serving on many church and civic boards. He conducted grief recovery classes in South Dakota and Arizona.

Gerry is survived by his wife Anne, two children, Sue of Dallas, TX, and Jon(Kary) of Brandon, SD, grandchildren Bryce and Laura, and sisters Opal (Kris) Solberg, Ellensburg, WA and Borghild (David) Bonthuis, Anoka, MN, and brother Kenneth (Polly) Christopherson, Tacoma, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Clara.