Jerry J. Meduna, 92, Manning, passed away peacefully holding his wife’s hand and his rosary, on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Jerry’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, January 11, 2016 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, New Hradec. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday with a rosary at 9:15 a.m.
Jerry Meduna, the seventh child of Joseph F. and Mary (Veverka) Meduna, was born December 6, 1923, and raised about 11 miles northeast of New Hradec on the family homestead. He attended a Tabor rural school and Sts. Peter and Paul school. After the death of their mother, their father sold the farm to Jerry and his brother Albert. In 1949, they sold the farm to Joe and Mary Shinagle and bought the Shinagle farm by Plaza.
Jerry married Frances Knopik on October 1, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. After they were married they attended Dickinson State College together for a short time. They bought the Knopik place 10 miles southeast of Manning where they have lived since. This union was blessed with two daughters.
In addition to his family, Jerry’s passions were farming and ranching. Jerry and Frances raised cattle throughout their lives and experimented with different cattle breeds. He loved driving his combine when it came time to harvest and bring in the bountiful crops. Jerry and Frances enjoyed driving around on a Sunday afternoon checking the crops and visiting with the neighbors. Jerry was very proud of having his pilot license. He owned his own plane and used it to commute between the Plaza and Manning farms.
Jerry was involved in various organizations throughout his life. He was a member of the Stockmens Association, the Social Service Board, and Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, and served on various election boards.
A gift that Jerry had was to “witch” for underground water sources. He unselfishly traveled many miles to offer his services to numerous people.
Jerry was a very kind and loving man. He had a strong devotion to God and the Blessed Mother, and a deep faith in the Catholic religion. He extended this belief to his family by spending his time and attention with them. He especially enjoyed visiting and playing cards with family and friends.
Jerry is survived by his wife Frances; daughter Mary Lund (special friend Kelly Wilhelm), Manning, and her three sons, Casey Lund, Killdeer; Dusty (Leigh) Lund, Manning; and Levi (fiancé Dani Kruckenberg), Hazen; son-in-law, Jason Gessele, and his two sons, Taylin and Sebastian Gessele, both of Manning; and sister-in-law Genevieve Franchuk, Dickinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Mike and Mary Knopik, daughter, Carmae Gessele (in 2001), and all his siblings; Christine Bren, Clement, Mary Shinagle, Patricia Dvorak, Joe, Louie, and Albert.
