Gerald ‘Jerry’ D. Johnston, 78, Dickinson, died Friday, November 11, 2011 at his home. Jerry’s Mass of Christian Burial will at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Jeffrey Zwack as the celebrant. Interment will follow at Hettinger Cemetery, Hettinger. Visitation will be Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Jerry Volk presiding at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Gerald David Johnston was born September 6, 1933 in Perkins County, South Dakota, the son of LuVerne E. and Annie M. (Mueller) Johnston. Jerry was raised and educated in Hettinger, and graduated from Hettinger High School in 1953. He then attended two years at Dickinson State College and served in the National Guard from 1953 to 1959.
Jerry married Donna Mae Scheeler on June 16, 1959, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. Between 1955 and 1959 Jerry owned his own trucking business, Dickinson Produce. Jerry and Donna then moved to Salt Lake City Utah where he worked for Pacific Gamble-Robinson as assistant division supervisor. Jerry returned to Dickinson in 1961 and went into partnership with his father-in-law Jerome Scheeler in Jerome’s Furniture Mart. Jerry and Donna started Jerry’s Furniture and Carpet in 1974 and later owned stores in Hettinger, Glendive, Mont., and Beulah. He retired in 2006.
He was a past officer and member of the Elks 1137, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus, and the Chamber of Commerce. Jerry loved hunting, boating and fishing. In his younger days he spent time riding horses. He enjoyed his friends, playing couples bridge and pinochle. He and Donna also traveled extensively throughout the world. His greatest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna; three children, Renee M. (Mike Pedersen, DVM) Carnel, Goodhue, Minn., Kristi A. Lefferts, Tampa, Fla., and Brad Gerald Johnston, Minneapolis, Minn.; four grandchildren, Alex W. Carnel, Dickinson, Jennifer L. Carnel, Goodhue, Minn., Madalyn M. Carnel, Goodhue, Minn., and Nathan X. Lefferts, Tampa, Fla.; and two sisters, Verna Anfinson, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Sheila (Gene) Fisher, Tempe, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Johnston; brother-in-law, Bud Anfinson; and his in-laws, Jerome and Tillie Scheeler.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to: The Gerald Johnston Business Scholarship Fund, which the family will establish at DSU.
