Gingerich, Jeremiah (Jerry) (1911-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Oct 3 p. 8

Birth date: 1911 Apr 23

text of obituary:

JERRY GINGERICH

Jeremiah "Jerry" Gingerich, 94, of Bruneau, Idaho, died Sept. 3, 2005. He was born April 23, 1911, to Christian and Mary (Zehr) Gingerich in Parnell, Iowa.

He met his life companion, Letha Slatter, at Hesston (Kan.) College, and they were married May 2, 1937.

He taught in country schools in Kansas and Iowa from 1938 to 1943. In 1943, when his father-in-law was near retirement, they moved to Filer, Idaho, to take over the family farm. In 1963 they moved to Bruneau to farm and ranch.

He had a lifelong interest in farming, even during the last days of his life. Other than farming, his great interest was doing voluntary service for numerous charitable organizations. Letha was his constant companion on these humanitarian trips, which took them to diverse locations across the United States and abroad. He always encouraged others and helped the down and out. He was never too busy to visit with anyone. He was frugal in living but generous in giving.

He was a charter member and active member of Bruneau Community Church until his final days.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Letha; four sons, Verlin and his wife, Ella, and Rudy and his wife, Colleen, all of Bruneau, Donell and his wife, Frances, of Nampa, and Kermit and his wife, Clydene, of Seoul, South Korea; two daughters, Dolores Brubaker and her husband, Ervin, of Pocatello, and Mary Beth King and her husband, Loren, of Suffolk, Va.; a sister, Ruth Miller; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister and two brothers.