Gerald E. Kirk, 83, passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2021 in Spearfish, SD.
Gerald was born April 7, 1937 at Newell, SD to Ralph and Sylvia (Sundstrom) Kirk. He was raised and grew up on the family ranch near Mud Butte, SD, where he adored weekends with the Sundstrom cousins, along with Uncle Juno and Aunt Bud, listening to classic country music. He attended country school and graduated from Newell High School in 1955. Gerald was passionate about sports, particularly football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He also coached his beloved Kirk's Jet Service softball team that won the 1986 State B Softball Tournament, and until his death, attended and cheered at every grandchild's and great-grandchild's sporting events. This gentle, proud man with a sweet tooth never missed a team roping of Duane's or any PRCA rodeo, in person or on the Cowboy Channel.
Gerald met his wife, Anne (Milberg) in high school, and they were married October 20, 1957, experiencing an amazing 63 years together. They were blessed with three children, Cheryl, Duane, and Daren. Gerald and Anne lived and worked on the ranch until moving to Sturgis, SD in 1978, when they purchased, expanded, and operated Kirk's Jet Service. After retiring from the gas and service station business, Gerald and Anne moved to Pueblo, CO, where he was a sales representative for various animal mineral and nutrition companies. Family and the Black Hills brought them back to their final residence in Spearfish, SD in 2001. Gerald was a strong community supporter in every town they resided, belonging to the Masons, serving as President of the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association, and most importantly, being active in his churches, most recently, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Spearfish, SD.
Gerald had a passion for airplanes, flying his own plane on the ranch, shooting coyotes, and later becoming a Captain of the Civil Air Patrol. He enjoyed camping with Anne around the Black Hills and after fully retiring, taking their house on wheels around the United States. As an avid hunter, he looked forward to the Kirk family 4th generation deer hunt every fall.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anne (Milberg); children, Cheryl VanSickle, Spearfish, SD, Duane, Box Elder, SD, and Daren (Lori), Sturgis, SD; five grandchildren, Kim Jensen, Jamie VanSickle, Dani Adams, Kandi Cermak, and Craig Kirk; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and one sister, Nita Griffin.
He is preceded in death by both parents; son-in-law, Dan VanSickle; and brother-in-law, James Griffin.
A memorial has been established in Gerald's name to the Wilson Cemetery, Civil Air Patrol, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Spearfish, SD.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Pastor Stephan Sandness officiating. Gerald's service can be viewed at this link: http://www.youtube.com/OSLCMediaSpearfish/live
A private family burial for Gerald will be held at Wilson Cemetery at a later date.
Click on link to view service folder