Jerry Mudder, age 74 of Avon

Jerry Mudder, age 74, of Avon passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday evening on September 19, 2016 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the First Baptist Church, with burial at First Baptist Cemetery and lunch to follow. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 Wednesday at the Avon football field grandstand, followed by a prayer service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry Ray Mudder, son of George and Elsie (Lippert) Mudder, was born August 29, 1942, on a farm near Avon, SD. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday evening, September 19, 2016, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Jerry attained the age of 74 years and 24 days. Jerry graduated from Avon High School in 1960, and he married Cherilyn Nelson on June 14, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Avon. Their union was blessed with four children, and Jerry repeatedly said that he was especially proud of his children's spouses and his grandchildren. Jerry considered his family to be his greatest blessing in life.


Jerry farmed all of his life, mostly as a dairy farmer until health problems forced the sale of his herd of registered Holsteins in the fall of 1997. Afterward he bred registered Angus cattle. In 1964 Jerry went to Curtis Breeding School in Cary, IL, to receive training in artificial insemination, which he did for more than 50 years. For the rest of his life he spent countless hours poring over the information in bull books, analyzing sires to find the best possible combinations of traits to improve his cattle. Besides his family, Jerry was most proud of the cattle that he raised.


Jerry grew up attending the First Baptist Church in Avon, which is where he was baptized, married, and served as a church member for the rest of his life. It was here that he brought Cherilyn, and where she received Christ, and it was here where his children were instructed from the Bible for four hours each week. Jerry served in whatever capacity he was needed, including being an usher, serving on the Church Board, or singing in the men's choir. He is especially remembered for the many years he served as a Sunday school teacher for the 5th and 6th grade classes. More than just attending church, it was Jerry's faith in Christ that defined his life. His parting words for his children were to raise his grandchildren to know and love Christ. Cherilyn will always remember him as a prayer warrior with his Bible opened up on the kitchen table as he prayed for his family.


Jerry grew up with a love of sports, especially for all of the sports of the Avon Pirates and for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football teams. Attending his children's and then grandchildren's sporting events was one of Jerry's favorite things to do. He was honored to be recognized as an Avon Senior Citizen Fan of the Year. Saturdays in the fall would usually find him listening to Husker games on the radio while hunting or driving his tractor, or spring and summer nights would often find him listening to the Twins broadcasts while fishing with his family. Besides cattle and family, Jerry would most often be heard talking about football, hunting, and fishing.


Jerry was diagnosed with emphysema in 1985. At that time the doctors told him that he would not live for more than 20 years, but his family was blessed to see him fight to live for another 31 years. While this cruel disease robbed him of his health and the ability to enjoy some of those things that he had most loved, he persevered with a quiet dignity and passion for life that kept him doing things that he should not have been able to do. His strength, hope, and stubborn resistance to keep going will always be remembered by his family and others who knew him.


Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 53 years, Cherilyn, of Avon; children & spouses, and grandchildren: Jay & Julie, Emily and Lukkes Mudder of Avon; Jim & Samantha, Megan, Melanie, and Jacob Mudder of Platte; Jan & Nadia, Jeremiah, Audrey, and Isaiah Mudder of Armour; and Jeri Lyn & Corey, Kinsley, Kennasyn, and Kellen Jastram of Sioux Falls. Jerry is survived by his brother Alvin and wife Betty Mudder of Avon; sister-in-law, Adella Massey of Avon; his brother-in-law and dearest friend, Bob Pudwill of Springfield; brothers-in-law: Richard and wife Charlene Nelson, and Galen Nelson, all of Sioux Falls; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.


Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Clayton & Marie Nelson; siblings: Miriam (Arnold) Johnson, Marvin (Charlotte) Mudder, Velda (Dewey) Olsen, Shirley Pudwill and Roger Mudder; four nephews: Bob Olsen, Darrell Olsen, Melvin Mudder, and Scott Nelson; and one niece, Pam Pudwill.