83
Beresford
March 12, 1942 – Feb. 2, 2026
Gerald Lee Voss, known to most as Jerry, died on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Jerry was born on March 12, 1942, to Hans and Edna (Briggle) Voss on the family farm near Beresford, South Dakota.
As a young man, Jerry was drafted into the United States Army and served a tour in Vietnam. There, he witnessed profound chaos and hardship—experiences that marked him deeply and were carried mostly in silence. He was awarded the Bronze Star and continued his service for 20 years, retiring in 1986.
In 1962, Jerry married Lynn Herzog. Together they raised three sons: John, David, and Daniel. Military life took the family to Germany, Texas, and Ohio before Jerry ultimately returned home to Beresford. There, he settled on a small acreage and found peace in tending the earth—gardening, raising miniature horses, and spending time with his devoted dog, Ridger.
Jerry was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Beresford and deeply involved in his community.
He served faithfully in the Lions Club, including a term as Regional President in 2015, a year highlighted by attending the International Lions Club Convention in Hawaii.
In March of 2025, Jerry moved west to be closer to his son Daniel and daughter-in-law Vicki and became a resident of Avantara Mountain View in Rapid City.
Jerry is survived by his sons, John Voss and David Voss of Austin, Texas, and Daniel (Vicki) Voss of Rapid City; his grandchildren—the utmost pride and joy of his life—Amanda Voss of Chesapeake, Virginia; Rowdy Hillmer and Josh Davis of Hill Air Force Base, Utah (currently deployed and serving the country); Makenzie and Curtis Traversie of Isabel, South Dakota; Sterling Hillmer of Brookings, South Dakota; and Casey Voss of Rapid City. He is also survived by his brothers, Doug Voss of Beresford and Randy (Renee) Voss of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Edna Voss, and by his siblings Ron and Patty.
A memorial service will be held at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford, South Dakota, on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Interment of ashes will take place at 12:00 p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with full military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.