Jerome “Jerry” Lotzer, age 82, of Brookings, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2019, at the United Living Community in Brookings.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings.
Visitations will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Eidsness Funeral Home. Burial will be 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Sisseton Cemetery in Sisseton.
Jerome C. Lotzer was born Nov. 21, 1936, to Clifford and Marie (Block) Lotzer in Sisseton, South Dakota. Jerry grew up on the family farm and attended country school until the eighth grade.
Jerry began working at Skelly’s Gas Station in Sisseton, where through pumping her gas, met and fell in love with Dorene Madsen. They were married on Aug. 5, 1961.
Sometime following their marriage, Jerry began working for Alinder Motors as a mechanic. After the dealership closed, Jerry went to work as a custodian at the Sisseton High School until his retirement in 2001. Jerry and Dorene moved to Brookings in 2009 to be closer to family. Jerry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton and Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings.
He was especially fond of his grandsons, and always wanted the best for them. He enjoyed fishing, tinkering with cars, helping out with household chores, paying close attention to the weather, and playing cards with his friends in the apartment building.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of camping, and campfires. He ended nearly every evening with a bowl of ice cream or a dish of popcorn and sometimes both. He had a real sweet tooth for hard candies such as Life Savers and Werthers.
Survivors include his wife Dorene of Brookings; daughters, Diane (Chad) Broksieck of Brookings, and Dawn (Lee) Wright of Summit; grandchildren, Gavin Wright, Tate Broksieck, and Trent Broksieck; brother, John Lotzer; sister, Joyce Valnes; sister-in-law, Gayle Lotzer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Sister Mildred Lotzer; brother, Ronald; and brother-in-law, Gene Valnes.
