Jerry Saner, 91
Jerroll (Jerry) Saner passed away Jan. 22, 2025 at Freeman Regional Nursing Home at the age of 91. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church.
Jerroll James Saner was born on June 10, 1933 to Chris J. and Elsie (Graber) Saner. Born and raised in the East Freeman community, he grew up on the family farm. He was baptized upon his confession of faith by Jacob Regier on May 1, 1949 at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church. After graduating from Freeman Academy in 1951 he attended Freeman Junior College for one year. He did his 1W service in a VA hospital in Downey, Ill., then returned to the family farm where he, his brother and his Dad started their Grade A Dairy Farm with a herd of Jersey cows.
He married Geraldine (Dubs) on Aug. 24, 1959. This union was blessed with five children. On January 24, 1960 he was confirmed into the Lutheran Faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church by Pastor Norman Seebach where he remained a faithful member the rest of his life.
He served his church as a member of the board of education for the Lutheran Day School and as the Sunday school superintendent for many years. He served as the leader of the Golden Rule Dairy 4-H club for 25 years. He also served as a board member for AMPI until he sold his beloved Jersey cows in 1986. He then went to work at Freeman Fertilizer, Canistota Feed Service and finally the city of Freeman where he worked at the recycling center and city dump until he fully retired at the age of 86. He also did small engine repairs during his later years.
Jerry’s hobbies included square dancing with the Two Town Twirlers square dancing club, bowling, fishing and hunting, especially deer hunting with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Geraldine; daughter Denise (Scott) Peterson of Freeman; daughter Doris (Scott) Docken of Winner, S.D.; daughter Donna Sanborn of Sioux Falls; son Darren (Lisa) Saner of Slayton, Minn.; and daughter Dana Saner of Sioux Falls. Grandchildren are: Timothy DeBoer, Gayli (Aaron) Delzer, Matthew Peterson (Melissa Freadhoff), Christa Peterson (Dylan Van Pelt), Andy Saner, Brett (Amber) Bartels, Jayd (Jordan) Docken, Jesse (Allie) Docken, Amanda (Jason) Knowles, Ashley (Asa) Brocar, Chris Sanborn, Melissa (Derek) Schmidt and Kyle (Kiah) Saner, Great Grandchildren Ella Delzer, Colt and Harley Saner, Skyler Hanson, Paisley, Mya and McCoy Bartels, McKenna, Finley and Davey Docken, Daphne Docken, Alexis Knowles, Carsyn, Ayden and Tharyn Schmidt and “Baby Saner” due in June.
He was proceeded into death by his parents, Chris and Elsie Saner; his brothers Darren and Delmer Saner; grandson Richard Sanborn; parents-in-law Hugo and Helen Dubs; brothers-in-law Eldor, Glendon, Harlan, LaVern and Dennis Dubs, Kermit Schrag, and Richard Andersen; sisters-in-law Vergene Dubs and Verda Saner.
