Gerald (Jerry) James Sailer was born at Hazen, North Dakota, on April 30, 1939, the 3 ^rd youngest of 14 children born to George and Martha (Pompeit) Sailer.

Leaving the family farm, he served in the US Navy on the USS Walker.  During that time, he met his first wife, Peggy Reiger in Hawaii.  They married in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 30, 1959, and had one son, Jerry Sailer, Jr.

Jerry became a painter of both commercial and private buildings in the Rapid City area.  He was an expert at wallpapering, texturing, and walking on stilts while he worked. He retired only when necessary after his Alzheimer's diagnosis. He loved to fish and loved his beer.  He played harmonica and let granddaughters style his hair.  He was a favorite playmate for the grandkids and Tia's best friend in childhood.

Three years after Peggy's death, he married Lillian (Duwenhoegger) Zellner and acquired 6 stepchildren.  He and Lillian traveled often, visiting family and sightseeing throughout the US, including several trips to Walt Disney World, where he rode every ride he could.  He enjoyed Disney as much as any child ever did.

Besides a total of 7 children, Jerry and Lillian have 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Jerry died November 5, 2020, at Sturgis Nursing Home, Sturgis, SD.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian; his son, Jerry Sailer (Crystal); stepdaughters Marjorie. Anderson (Tim); Rhonda Moore (Terry);  Jeanette F. Engel (Bob); and Brenda K. Kassis (Mike), all of Rapid City, SD; stepson Warner Zellner of Deadwood, SD; his brothers and sisters, Delbert Sailer (Shari) of Roseville, MN; Roland Sailer (Joyce) of Rapid City, SD; Vern Sailer of Spearfish, SD; Leila Simpson of Kirkland, OH; Veona Jorgenson of Naples, FL; and Velma Wylie of Livinia, MI;

Grandchildren:  Jennifer Lee  (Josh), Rapid City, SD; Angela  Smith of Britton, SD; Kristal Lopez (Waldo), Harris, MN; Nila Steele, Rapid City, SD; Rob Steele, Rapid City, SD; Richard Zellner (Jesika), Lexington Park, MD; Matthew Moore (Jennifer); Christopher Moore (Jennifer); Casey Moore and Leslee Moore, all of  Rapid City, SD; Elizabeth Wood (Dan), Laramie, WY; Jess Zellner and Samantha Zellner of Sarasota, FL; Alex Zellner of Indianapolis, IN; Darrell Ray, Rapid City, SD; Jasmine Dahl, Denver, CO; Michael Tobias; Tiana Kassis; and Jaimie Kassis, all of Rapid City, SD;

Great-Grandchildren: Briana Miller (Justin) and Samantha Voss (Daniel) of Box Elder, SD; Robert Holter (Kalin), Rush City, MN; Andy Elms, Ashly Elms-Crowson, Micheal (Jenn) Hughes, Isaac Crowson (Julie), Jacob Crowson,  Danica Steele, Rhys Steele, and Kyra Steele, all of Rapid City, SD; Rayne Zellner of Lexington Park, MD; Desmond Moore, Apollo Moore and Scarlet Moore, all of Rapid City, SD; Clare Wood and Abigail Wood of Laramie, WY; Zachary Dahl, Matthew Dahl, and Adriana Dahl, of Denver, CO; Inara Lee and  Everly Lee of Rapid City, SD; and Angela's 2 sons.

Great-Great-Grandchildren: AJ Fullen, Kiyann Miller, Karolynn Voss, Aeris Voss, Daniel Voss, Jr., of Box Elder; and Easton Hughes of Rapid City, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Martha (Pompeit) Sailer; his first wife Peggy; brothers Martin, Walter, Lawrence, Arnold and Gary Sailer; 2 sisters who died in infancy; his stepson, Robert Zellner; and great-granddaughter, Aurora Yerden.