Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Gerald (Jerry) Walters, 74, long time resident of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, passed away on March 12, 2017, as a result of a snowmobile accident.

Jerry was born May 7, 1942, in Huron, South Dakota to Elmer and Esther (Wittrock) Walters. Raised on a family farm, Jerry attended school in Bancroft, South Dakota.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Deanna Rabenberg, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bancroft on December 24, 1961. Jerry and Deanna operated a service station in the Black Hills where they were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Monica, Brenda, and Crystal. Upon moving to Spearfish in 1967, Jerry drove a cattle truck until 1969. They settled in Ten Sleep, Wyoming where he organized the beginning of the Sage Stompers 4-H Club.

Jerry was employed by the Washakie County Road & Bridge and retired after 31 years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Worland and an active member of the Ten Sleep Fire Department from 1972-2006, ultimately becoming the Fire Chief. Along with the extra responsibilities, this included the added bonus of all the grandchildren riding on the fire truck during the annual Ten Sleep 4th of July Parade.

Jerry's life revolved around his family and the grandkids who kept him very busy (or maybe the other way around.) Jerry's families' best moments involve spending time together.

Jerry enjoyed sharing stories and pictures of his never-ending activities, which included traveling, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and fishing. Never one to sit around, his recent trip to Valdez, Alaska , where he caught exactly 102 pounds of fish, was his latest highlight.

Jerry is survived by his wife Deanna, daughters Monica (Dan) Daugherty, Brenda (Dennis) McCann, Crystal Kapptie, grandchildren Lindsey, Mandy (Jared) Feather, Kevin, Britney, and Kaylee, great-granddaughter Ridley, and his nieces Sherry, Susie, and Darla, Vicki, nephews Craig and Eric, and brother-in-law Gordon. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gaylord.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church in Worland, Wyoming or Denver Children's Hospital, c/o Veile Mortuary, P.O. Box 730 Worland, WY 82401, or the charity of one's choice.

Visitation will be held 5-7pm, Friday, March 17, 2017, at Veile Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Worland 4pm, Saturday, March 18, 2017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Veile Mortuary.