By 
Jerald “Jerry” Schulz, 91, Watertown
Jerald Jay Schulz arrived in heaven on January 24, 2024, at the age of 91. A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Watertown. Burial will follow the visitation at Bergen Cemetery, with Pastor Craig Gromes officiating the committal service. Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the Schulz family.
Jerald Schulz was born on July 9, 1933, at the home of his parents, Ernest and Pearl (Bloom) Schulz in Egeland Township, Day County, SD. Jerald was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay. Jerry served on the finance board for several years, and was currently an active member of First Baptist Church in Watertown.
Jerry attended elementary school at Egeland #211, graduating from Waubay High School in 1951. Following graduation, he reported for active duty with the US Army, however Jerry was deferred due to a medical condition. Jerry began farming with his father and uncles until 1970. He married Gwen Nisich at Watertown, and following their marriage, he took over the family farm. The couple continued to farm until 1990, at which time the land was rented out and they moved to Watertown in 1991. The Schulz farm was awarded the Century Farm Award in 1987 by the office of Governor George Mickelson. The farm at that time had been in the family for 108 years. The farm was also eligible for the 125 award in 2017.
After the couple moved to Watertown, Jerald began working at Lakeland Nurseries. In 1993, he accepted a full time position at Faultless/Nutting. He received the Perfect Attendance Award for several years while employed there. While working at Faultless, he was called to help landscape the Redlin Center. Jerald retired in June of 2000. On his 65th birthday, he was designated Honorary Trainman by the Whetstone Valley Association. His birthday party was held on the train. He did a lot of volunteer work for the Salvation Army, also working the disaster unit when it was called for in an emergency.
Jerald was a collector of International Harvester and Ford farm toys for many years. He was an avid gardener, collected caps, and enjoyed fishing and watching NASCAR.
He was preceded in death by his son Jay, his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, 2 brothers-in-law, and a sister-in-law.
Those surviving Jerald are his wife, Gwen; special children: Creighton (Kelly) Thurman, and Carin (Matthew) Thurman Froelich; special grandsons: Jerry Anthony Thurman and Dylan Froelich; special granddaughter Lydia Froelich; three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law (Minnie Laudonio, Orlyn and Sue Nisich, and Arlys Nisich).
