Jerry Sween, 66, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019. 

A prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the Estelline American Legion. A time for visiting and sharing will follow the prayer service until 1p.m. Graveside services will be held at St. John’s Cemetery near Estelline. Geise Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests that you wear your favorite sports or hunting attire as a tribute to Jerry and his love of sports and hunting. Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Cemetery.

Our amazing, beloved dad was taken from us far too soon on Sunday, July 7, 2019. He was born in Estelline, SD, on March 25, 1953 to Carl Lavern Sween and Marian Irene Kasdorf Sween and from the beginning he was a bundle of energy, life and mischief in a small package. His love of all things outdoors came from his upbringing on the farm and he carried that throughout his life while starting his own farm, hunting, fishing, camping, and just going outside to “solve all the world’s problems.” 

Our dad lived in South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, and Oregon over the course of his short 66 years, making lifelong friends wherever he went. His outgoing, energetic, caring, inquisitive personality and his infectious laugh drew people to him and kept them all in his circle, whether they knew him for 60 years or 60 minutes. He was respected in his business and he valued fairness and a good work ethic, working harder and on more projects than his children felt comfortable with. We knew though that what he was most proud of was us– his kids. Dad had a unique and special relationship with each one of us, valuing his time with us more than anything else. 

Jeremy shared so many of Dad’s interests and hobbies, they were hunting buddies, farm consultants, and best friends. Dena was his ‘Babes’, a daddy’s girl through and through who could talk her daddy into almost anything and cherished their conversations that could last for hours. Jerad started as ‘Troubles’ and ended up being Dad’s trusted business partner, right-hand man, comedic sparring buddy, and the one Dad said had “the biggest heart”. We will miss him terribly and will always have his voice in our heads, his laughter in our ears, and his unconditional and equal love in our hearts.

Jerry was survived by his three children, Jeremy (Adrianna), of Molalla, OR, Dena, of Salt Lake City, UT, and Jerad, of Molalla, OR; four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, mother, Marian Sween, of Estelline, SD; four brothers, Art, of Toronto, SD, Randy, of Clear Lake, SD, Calvin, of Toronto, SD, and Wayne, of White, SD; five sisters, Carol (Scott) Henderson, of North Tonawanda, NY, Joan (Leroy) Baxter, of Graceville, MN, Carla, of Toronto, SD, Nancy (Bill) Conlon, of Watertown, SD, and Amy (Mike) Storm, of Webster, SD; countless extended family and friends that he held dear.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Carl Sween.

The family would like to thank everyone for their condolences, well-wishes, uplifting stories, support and love. We couldn’t get through this without all of you.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.geisefuneralhome.com.