Jerome Victor Klas was born October 14, 1923 on a farm near Burke, South Dakota to Victor and Elizabeth (Hotz) Klas and died October 10, 2005 at Sturgis, SD Community Health Care Center.

Jerry grew up in the farming country near Burke and attended high school there. He moved with the family to a farm near Herrick about 1941 and worked the farm with his dad and brothers...Prior to selling the farm in 1963 Jerry and his dad worked for a year (1961-62) near Nampa, Idaho where Jerry's Uncle Lawrence Klas (and Leona) lived.

After selling the farm in 1963 he and his dad operated the Burke Cleaners until 1966. In 1967 Jerry started working at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD both underground and as an ore crusher operator. In 1971 he started working at the Potter sawmill in Whitewood, SD as an Edger, where he worked for about 17 years.

After retiring Jerry did part-time work at Green Thumb in Whitewood for a year and then at the Sturgis Community Center for about a year.

He lived the remainder of his life at the Northern Hills Assisted Living in Sturgis, SD.

Jerry is survived by his brother Delbert and wife Helen of Muskego, WI; his niece, Karin and husband Steven Kunz of Franklin, WI; his nephew, Dr. James and wife Stephanie Klas of River Hills, WI; his nephew Jeffrey Klas of Brighton, MI; and his great nephews; Kyle and Ryan Kunz; Brandon and Hunter Klas.

Jerry was a conscientious person, worker, and family supporter; his concern for and interest in our family was evident. We will greatly miss his presence and easy conversation...God be with you Jerry.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 14, 2005 at 2:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Church.