L. E. (Gene) Gerard
March 4, 1929 – August 5, 2020

L. E. (Gene) Gerard died Aug. 5, 2020, at Sanford Care Center of Chamberlain, SD, at the age of 91.
Per his directive, there will be no funeral services.
The family was present from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Methodist Church in Kennebec, SD, for
those who wished to stop and visit.
L. E. (Gene) Gerard was born March 4, 1929, to Harry and Ruby (Critser) Gerard.
Following graduation from Kennebec High School of Kennebec, SD, in 1947, he joined his parents in farming south of Kennebec, SD.
On July 8, 1949, he married his only sweetheart, Esther Venekamp, youngest daughter of John and Ethel Venekamp, at Presho Methodist Church of Presho, SD.
Most of their married life was spent south of Kennebec, SD, farming and ranching as they raised their six children and actively participated in the community. Following Gene’s retirement, they moved into Kennebec, SD.
Gene served on several boards through the years, including township, school, production organizations and the Kennebec Elevator.
He was a staunch supporter of the Republican Party and greatly enjoyed those political discussions he passionately initiated.
Gene spent the last three years residing at Sanford Care Center in Chamberlain, SD. There he continued to enjoy discussions and storytelling of the years that had been lived and the history of the area and of course, politics, still the staunch Republican.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 71 years, Esther Gerard of Kennebec, SD; six children and their families, Delores Symens and husband, Raymond, Pamela Michalek and Tim Long, Dennis Gerard and wife, Linda, Douglas Gerard and Tammye Hutton, Phillip Gerard and wife, Shelley and Donald Gerard and wife, Connie; 14 grandchildren, 27 great grand- children; two great great grandsons; his only sibling, Margorie Halvorson and husband, Gene and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ruby Gerard; his paternal grandparents, Charles and Mary Gerard; his maternal grandparents, Frank and Martha Critser; a great grandson, Tayler Symens; a son-in-law, John Michalek; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Heffner Gerard and a grandson, Laramie Gerard.
Hickey Funeral Chapel of Chamberlain, SD, was in charge of arrangements.
The obituary may be seen at www.hickeyfuneralchapel.com.