Jerry Wilhelm

   Jerry Lee Wilhelm of Hunter, ND passed away Sunday, May 16th, 2021 at the age of 68. Jerry was a loving husband and father, and lover of the great outdoors.

   Jerry was born March 25th, 1953 to Elmer and Ardith (Hansen) Wilhelm. He graduated from Dakota High School in Arthur in 1972 and went on to attend college at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. He spent his early years farming near Arthur and met the love of his life, Lu, while on a seasonal ranching job in Missouri in 1982. The two married on June 15, 1983 and later welcomed a daughter, Courtney, in 1989. Jerry and his family later made the move to Hunter where he continued to work as a farmer and truck driver.

   Jerry especially loved the outdoors. He always made time for hunting season to enjoy spending time with his buddies and daughter. Jerry had a love for western North Dakota, and it had become a tradition for him to travel to Rhame in the fall to reunite with family friends and partake in rifle season. He introduced his daughter to this tradition which continued through the 2020 season, where Jerry harvested his last buck with a phenomenal shot.

Jerry was known for his positive outlook and always making the best of what he had. He always claimed he “never needed anything that fancy,” and truly enjoyed life’s simple pleasures.

   Jerry is survived by his wife, Lu, of nearly 38 years, daughter Courtney (Nevin) of Williston, and granddogs Sage and Rylee. He is survived by sisters Gayle (Burnell) Paul of Wing; Linda (Otto) Uhde of Bismarck; Vicki Knopp of Wing; Shelly (Daryl) Eckholm of Wing; sister-in-law Othel (Bill) Lewis of Spencer, IA; nieces Jenell (Nazir) Robinson of Wing; Beth McCone of Bismarck; Kayla Knopp of Fargo; Annika (Michael) Swenson of Montevideo, MN; Erika Eckholm of Harvey; Katlyn (Clint) St. Sauver of Charlotte, IA; and nephews Thomas (Alicia) Uhde of Bismarck; Ethan Eckholm of Wing; Eddie (Misty) Hickman of Cainsville, MO; Christopher Hickman of Sudan, TX; and Weston Miller of Spencer, IA. He is also survived by his uncle, Clair (Clarice) Hansen of Fargo, many cousins, and nine great nephews and nieces.

   He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ardith; father- and mother-in-law Forest and Bessie McDaniel; sister, Jan Boisjolie; nephew Barret Paul, and beloved Brittany spaniel, Gwen.

Prayer Service: Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. in First Lutheran Church, Hunter, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry Wilhelm, please visit our floral store.