Jerry Errol Wells was born September 16, 1954, to Errol and Rose (Wilhelm) Wells in Belle Fourche, SD. They made their home east of Bison, SD. Jerry attended Bison Public School graduating in 1973. He was united in marriage to Geraldine Hibner and they had a son, Brian, in 1973.  Jerry continued to farm and ranch with his parents and purchased his first Limousine cattle in 1977. They showed cattle throughout the Midwest, having the first Supreme Champion female at the Black Hills Stock Show in 1986.

In 1992 they sold their herd and started working for Hibner Insurance, also out of Bison. Jerry and Geraldine were divorced in 2000.  After the death of Duane Hibner, in 2001, Brian, Jerry and Geraldine's son, came to work with them. They changed the partnership to Hibner Insurance Agency, Inc.

Jerry was united in marriage to Leanne (Ekman) on December 1, 2001. With this marriage he gained three new sons, Nathan, Kenton, and Cameron. They made their home in Sturgis, SD for two years. In the fall of 2003 Jerry and Leanne purchased an acreage by Nisland, SD, where they still irrigate and
put-up hay.

Jerry loved to attend sports function throughout the years. He was very personable and loved to play jokes on people. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Jerry met Leanne on a blind date in December 2000. Her sons had to check him out before approval. Jerry would tell people Leanne said, "I'm not looking for a husband." They were married on December 1, 2001. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jerry had an engaging personality and loved people, talking to them, teasing them (once he got to know them a bit), and even doing special things for friends and strangers alike. He once was at the Bennett County fair and was preparing to buy cakes as usual from his insurance clients. One particular time, a young lad was excited to show Jerry his cake. Jerry said, "Oh, it's got coconut." The lad went outside and scraped the cake clean and came back to show him, asking if this was alright. Of course, Jerry bought the cake.

Jerry loved to tease, commenting to friends about how he "increased that person's bid" at regular fundraisers. But he was a generous and caring person, often putting in "bids" just so there would be one. Much like the old theme song from the television show, Cheers, when it came to Jerry, "Everybody knew his Name." He attended all his sons' functions, including football, basketball and wrestling, and he and Leanne continued to support Newell by attending many activities, near and far.

Jerry and Leanne had recommitted their lives to Christ, joining the Nisland Independent Community Church and even getting baptized at Orman dam in the last few years. He was a trustee on the board at the time of his death.

Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 20 years. Sons: Brian (Lolita) Wells of Bison, SD, Nathan (Andrea) Voorhees of Marion, SD, Kenton (Jill) Voorhees of Spearfish, SD, and Cameron Voorhees of Rapid City, SD. Grandchildren: Dustin, Daemik, and Marcella Wells; Elijah, Selah, Carson, and Lainey Voorhees; and Neuly and McKaLee Mahaffy, kids he claimed as his own, cousins Jesse and Mary Lee Marty, Dale and "adopted" cousin Ruth Ann Marty-Sprague, Sam and Leah Marty, Mary Lou Marty, and Liz and Avery May.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, grandparents Jesse and Anna Wells, and Constantine and Celestine Wilhelm, aunts and uncles, John and Helen Marty and Bill and Maxine Marty.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 27, at 2 p.m. in Austin Auditorium on the Newell school campus with graveside services in Hope Cemetery in Newell immediately following.

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