Jerry Milton, age 82, of rural Brandt, SD passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral will be held at 10:30am on Monday, August 19th at the Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt, SD. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5pm on Sunday, August 18th at the Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt with a prayer service at 3pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Highland Lutheran Cemetery, rural Brandt. Houseman Funeral Home of Clear Lake, SD is entrusted with the arrangements.
Jerold Jerome Milton was born on September 3, 1941, in Hendricks, MN to Harold & Mable (Reihe) Milton. At the age of 2, his family moved east of Brandt where he remained throughout his life. He attended country school, followed by high school in Brandt. His was the last graduating class (of 1960). Soon after graduation, he joined the South Dakota Army National Guard. On May 16, 1964, Jerry married Lonnie Benson. Together, they enjoyed playing cards and socializing at dances with neighborhood friends. They were blessed with five children: Randy, Michelle, Emily, Lynette and John. Jerry’s family meant the world to him. He enjoyed family gatherings, and always enjoyed when the kids or his siblings stopped at the farm to visit. Jerry loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids and enjoyed sharing stories from their visits. Jerry was very outgoing, and enjoyed visiting with anyone. He was easy to visit with, and was always up for a good laugh. Jerry farmed for 32 years. After retiring from farming, he worked for Viessman Trucking and McLaughlin & Schulz. With those jobs, he formed many good friendships. He finished his working years helping Mark Schilling and family on their farm. Farming was Jerry’s passion, and he especially enjoyed his time working for the Schillings. He was active in various groups and organizations in the Brandt area. Among them, he was a volunteer fireman, part of NFO, and enjoyed being a member at Highland Lutheran Church.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lonnie; children: Randy (Michelle) Milton, Michelle (Rob) Ronne, Emily (Jeremy) Cramer, Lynette (Ron) Richarz, and John (Glenda) Milton; grandchildren: Jamison (Megan) Peterson, Marisa (Mitchel) Foster, Ally Milton, Aaron (Katelyn) Ronne, Logan Ronne, Jackson Cramer, Ty Cramer, Hunter Cramer, Michael Richarz, Katie Richarz, Lauren Richarz, Bret Milton, and Lucy Milton; great-grandchildren: Cora Peterson, Callen Peterson, Kepler Peterson, and Colton Ronne; his brother, Denny (Arlene) Milton, sister, Judy (LeRoy) Sonnenburg, sister-in-law, Sharon Milton; brothers-in-law: Allen Benson, LeRoy Benson, Larry Benson, Jim (Jayne) Benson, and Tom Benson; sister-in-law, Emmie (Ron) Sherman; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Aaron Jerome Milton; his parents, Harold and Mable Milton; parents-in-law, Arnold and Ollie Benson; his brother, Bruce Milton; sisters-in-law, Shirley Gabert and Joyce Benson; and infant brother, Roger Milton.
