Gerald "Jerry" G. Labbe

Gerald “Jerry” Labbe, age 91, of Milbank, SD,  died on November 24, 2020, in Sioux City, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church in Milbank. Father Gary DeRouchey will officiate. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the Mass.

Jerry Labbe passed away on November 24, 2020, in Sioux City, IA. Due to Covid concerns, his funeral was postponed.

Gerald Gordon Labbe was born on February 27, 1929, in Fredonia, ND.  He was the son of Albert Joseph and Hilda (Mauer) Labbe.  He graduated from New Effington High School with the Class of 1947.  He attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, and achieved his teaching certificate.  He began his career in education by teaching country school and coaching in Lien Township, Roberts County, SD. He then taught in Brentford, SD, from 1952 – 1954.  He taught in Java, SD, for one year.  He moved to McLaughlin, SD, and taught there until 1959.  Jerry coached boys basketball and girls (half court) basketball. While teaching in McLaughlin Jerry met his future wife, JoAnn Jurgens.  They were united in marriage on August 4, 1956, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank, SD.

Jerry and JoAnn moved to Mobridge, SD, where Jerry worked as the Mobridge Jr. High School Principal.  He retired in 1987. He worked as a Federal Projects Officer in McLaughlin until JoAnn’s teaching retirement in 1990. JoAnn and Jerry moved to Milbank. They enjoyed traveling in a RV for about three years.

During Jerry’s retirement years he enjoyed volunteering and supporting his community.  He served on committees for the heart and diabetes programs funded through the Community Foundation.  He was active with the Shiine program by advising and helping the elderly with their medical paperwork. He was a member of the Milbank Kiwanis Club. Jerry was a faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and served as an usher for many years.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Joyce Dowling of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Mary Aesoph of Sioux City, IA; brother-in-law, Tom (Cecelia) Jurgens of Bella Vista, AR; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents: Albert and Hilda; his step-mother, Martha; his wife, JoAnn; and his brother, Kenneth.