Jerry F. Novotny, 81, of Gresham, Oregon, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Funeral services are at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes, South Dakota at 11 am, Saturday, July 11, 2026. Inurnment will be in St. Mark's Catholic Cemetery in Lake Andes.

Jerry Francis Novotny was born Dec. 12, 1944 at Long Beach, California to A.M. (Pete) and Ida Novotny. Jerry grew up in Lake Andes, SD, and graduated from Lake Andes High School in 1962. Jerry then graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1966, where he met his wife Mary Lee. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at USD. He dedicated 44 years to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a fisheries biologist. He worked to conserve and protect freshwater species and habitats in a career that would take his family from Yankton, South Dakota to Bowling Green, Kentucky, Stevenson, Washington and Gresham, Oregon, where he lived his remaining years.

Jerry was whimsical, witty, and deeply compassionate for those less fortunate. He left this planet more gentle than he found it.

Jerry is survived by his son, Cary Novotny, Portland, Oregon; granddaughters Tess Novotny, Brooklyn, New York; Makenna Carroll, Gresham, Oregon; Neve Novotny, Portland, Oregon; brothers Roger (Nila) Novotny, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, and Gene Novotny, Pierre, South Dakota; niece Jill (Tom) Hart, Fort Pierre, South Dakota; nephew Steven (Brittany) Novotny, Pierre, South Dakota; along with many Harrison and Novotny cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2018 and parents A.M. (Pete) and Ida Novotny.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy and the Parkinson’s Foundation.