NEMO- Jerald "Jerry" Kenaston Vifquain age 83, of Nemo SD passed away Sept. 18, 2017 at his home in Rapid City.

Jerry was born to Elmer and Nellie Vifquain in Springview, NE on March 22, 1934. Jerry moved to Rapid City with his parents in 1942 where he graduated from Rapid City High School in 1952. He attended one year college at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology before he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his duration in Korea.

He worked with his father in their concrete construction company in his teenage years. Following his military service he returned to Rapid City in 1958 where he continued his work with his father and he eventually established Vifquain Construction.

He married Valeria "LouElla" McGaa Farruggia in Rapid City SD on July 10, 1961. They were married 56 years and raised 14 children and welcomed 61 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and his greatest legacy continues to grow.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts, Troop 52, where he achieved "Life" rank. He was an avid bowler and was inducted into the South Dakota Bowling Hall of Fame in 1999. As a side note it should be mentioned that he was very proud of the fact that their large family home in Nemo, SD was heated exclusively with firewood. Many, many hours were spent gathering and splitting firewood with his children and grandchildren. So many family gatherings and memories were centered around this activity.

He is survived by his wife Louella of Rapid City; children Charles(Monica) Farruggia, Stephen (Sheila) Farruggia, Lorna (Richard) Graham, Elmer "Rusty" (Brenda) Vifquain, Valora (Ronald) Beshara, Therese (Jeff) Fuerstenau, Jerry ( Audra) Vifquain, Lorelei "Lolli" Ball, Ann (Ray) Harms, Angeli (Scott) Totten, Mary "Kati"(Matt) Skinner, Gena McFarland (Jason Heikkenin), Aaron (Mykel) Vifquain, Jesse (Terrilyn) Vifquain; numerous nieces and nephews, and special lifelong friends Jerry and Bonnie Atkinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Nellie Vifquain; siblings Victor Vifquain, Elizabeth Marshall, and Eleanor Harkin; one son-in-law Christopher Ball; two infant grandsons, Caleb Samuel Harms, and Joseph Patrick Totten.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21 at St Therese Catholic Church followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7:00pm.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, Sept. 22 at 11:00am at St Therese Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Cards may be sent to 610 Belmont Dr. Rapid City, SD 57702.