Erwin Jillson, age 71, of Gary, SD passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the USD Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Thursday, April 15th at Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home of Clear Lake is entrusted with the arrangements.
Erwin Loyal Albert Jillson was born in Jamestown, North Dakota on October 11, 1949, to Vernon and Ruth (Anthony) Jillson. He moved with his family to Brainerd, Minnesota, graduating from high school in 1968. On June 9, 1973, he married Darla Appel in Estelline, South Dakota and they moved to Brookings where he worked at SDSU for 32 years and raised his family. In 2008, he retired and made his home at Lake Cochrane and wintered in Stanfield, Arizona. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandkids!
Erwin will always be remembered and missed by his wife, Darla of 47 years: his girls. Jennifer (Damian) Murrieta of Stanfield, AZ and Carrie (Jason) VanVelzen of Parker, SD; his grandchildren: Jacob, Wyatt, Jenna and Claire; his sister, Joann Ostrowski and his brothers Fred and Billy. He is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers: Ronald, Gary, Vernon and Les.
Family prefers memorials to be made out to Sanford Deuel County Medical Center, Physical Therapy Unit.