JERALD LIGHT

Jerald (Jerry) Lee Light of Wakonda, passed away February 1, 2021 with family by his side. Born August 23, 1949 in Lake Andes to Maymie (Bent) Light and Earl Light.

He married Stephanie (Lehman) Light on May 28, 1977, and welcomed son Keith Light in March 1978 and daughter Jeri Light in December 1983. He studied Social Work at the University of South Dakota after his children were born, graduating in 1991.

Jerry spent more than two decades working for Lutheran Social Services as a residential counselor to youth first at Woodfield Center in Beresford, and then Summit Oaks in Sioux Falls. He often worked odd hours and shifts to be able to attend his children’s sporting events and activities. He regularly brought youth from work on outings to those events if he wasn’t able to get off work. He rarely, if ever missed a game, and would recreate moments of the game in the living room with strategies for improvement.

Most knew him as a quiet, soft spoken man, but those closest to him knew his wit, humor and intelligence were off the chart. He could beat anyone in Jeopardy, his family being his closest competitors, he could tell you the exact remedy or fix of an issue, even if you didn’t ask him for one, and his random one liners would have you rolling on the floor laughing when they’d catch you off guard, as they often did.

He loved spending time in nature, especially fishing with his wife. In the years since she had passed he often told stories of how she was able to out fish him toward the end of her years and how mad that made him! He enjoyed fishing with buddies on occasion, but also appreciated the solitude that his outdoor activities offered him. He enjoyed hunting as well, and always had a smart, well trained dog to assist him in the hunt and retrieve portion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Maymie Light and his wife, Stephanie Light. He is survived by children Jeri Light (Kyle Kadinger), and Keith Light, as well as grandchildren Harrison, Harper and Harlow Light, and furry friends Max and Iggy.

There will not be a service, at his request, but if you’d like to honor Jerry, please spend some time in nature doing something you enjoy either appreciating the solitude or with someone you love. Watch a sunset, spot some new birds, or go on a little adventure. He wasn’t able to do a lot of outdoor adventures in the final years of his life, so this would mean a lot to him!