Gordon “Sam” Jarman

Gordon “Sam” Jarman, age 78, of Milbank, died January 14, 2018, at St. William’s Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD.  Rev. Bob Hansen and Rev. Sheila Pohl will officiate, and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, January 19, 2018 at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Ray Ogdahl and Jodi Knutson will be the vocalists.

Casket bearers will be: Luke Boerger, Mike Strobl, David Pierce, Clayton Winge, Steve Minder, Steve Storm, Mike McKernan, and Shane Storm.   Honorary Bearers will be Valley Queen Drivers and Coworkers and the American Legion Post- Wilmot.

Gordon “Sam” William Jarman was born in Graceville, MN to Samuel Riley and Mary (Raabe) Jarman on September 15, 1939.  Gordon was raised on the family farm southwest of Wilmot.  He attended grades one through three at Springdale Country School #5, located one-mile east of the farm.  Gordon then attended and graduated in 1957 from Wilmot High School.  He attended one year of college at the School of Mines and Technology before entering the Air Force in 1961.

Gordon married Mary Lou McKernan, October 14, 1961, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank.  They had two sons from this union, Samuel “Rick” and Wayne.  The family remained on the family farm where Gordon milked cows and farmed grain from 1964 until 1987.  Gordon also worked for Valley Queen Cheese Factory for 19 years, Vant Hof hauling milk for one and one-half years, CHS Border States for six years, and Corona Grain and Feed for three months before retiring.  He and Mary Lou moved to Milbank in 1992 where he remained until his passing.

Gordon was a member of the American Lutheran Church where he was dedicated to his religion.  He enjoyed working on the family farm and driving semi.  He had many fond memories of the families he worked, with as well as, the companies he drove for.  He worked hard supporting his family and enjoyed being with them.  Gordon was a member of the American Legion, Drake-Sorbel Post #64 of Wilmot for 37 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Lou; two sons: Samuel “Rick” (Shoshana) Jarman and their children, Ezri and Mackernan of San Diego, CA; and Wayne (Julie) Jarman and their children, Sam and Sarah of Wilmot, SD; two-brothers-in law: Gene (Sandra) McKernan of Twin Brooks, SD, and William “Bill” McKernan of Milbank, SD; two sisters-in-law: Elizabeth  “Betty” (Lloyd) Fenhaus of Corona, SD, and Sharon McKernan of Bloomington, MN; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Samuel and Mary; and one brother-in-law, Joseph McKernan.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorials that will be distributed to several organizations in memory of Gordon.