Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
NameGerald Haakon Aarsby
Birth16 Sep 1931, Devils Lake, North Dakota
Death12 Sep 2006, Rapid City, South Dakota
BurialPine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City, Pennington, SD
FatherHaaken Haakon Aarsby (1903-1947)
MotherPauline (Polly) Marie Dahl (1906-1991)
Misc. Notes
RAPID CITY - Gerald H. (Jerry) Aarsby, 75, was peacefully ushered into the arms of Jesus Saturday, December 9th, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
He was born September 16, 1931, at Devils Lake, ND, to Haakon and Polly Aarsby. He attended the first 8 grades in a 2-room school in Garske, ND, where his parents had a general store and post office. He was always proud of his heritage, as his father came over from Norway at age 18 and his mother's parents also came from Norway.
Jerry graduated from high school in Devils Lake, ND. After graduation, he went to school in Minneapolis and from there to work for the Northern Pacific Railway as a tele-grapher between Bismarck, ND, and Livingston, MT.
In 1963, he joined Bill Dorr and opened an accounting and tax practice in Gillette, WY. In 1968, he went to work with L & H Welding & Machine and became a partner of Leon Wandler as accountant/business manager. During this time, his son, Larry, joined him. In 1989, as a result of mergers and diversification, Gases Plus Corporation was established. Today, Gases Plus is a distributor of industrial gases, welding, janitorial and safety supplies with 14 stores in Wyoming and Montana.
Jerry had a lifetime of numerous medical problems, beginning at age 3 when his first kidney was removed. He battled many serious illnesses throughout most of his adult life, but was always known for maintaining a great attitude.
His favorite hobbies were woodworking, golfing with buddies, fishing with his son and friends, remodeling homes and building commercial buildings. His most recent enjoyment had been reconstructing a miniature replica of his birth home and model railroading.
Throughout his life, he spent much time with church and civic activities including local and state Jaycees, the Gillette Chamber of Commerce, Gillette Golf Club, as well as a member of Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. He was also member and past treasurer of First Evangelical Church in Rapid City, where he realized the importance of a personal relationship with Christ.
Jerry was married to his devoted wife, Nat in 1977. Their combined families enjoyed nearly 30 years of Thanksgiving family gatherings that will be fondly remembered. Times spent with his grandchildren were especially cherished.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Jerry is survived by his lovely wife, Nat, his son, Larry Aarsby, of Gillette, WY, daughters Kathy Barker, of Casper, WY, Tammy Smith, of Cheyenne, WY, stepson Keith Rhudy, stepdaughters Cyndie Hamilton, Cheryl Smart, of Rapid City, 22 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and his dear sister, Jo Aarsby, of Rapid City.
Visitation will be held at Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 E. Minnesota Street, Rapid City, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 14, at 1:00 p.m. at First Evangelical Free Church, 1124 Kansas City Street, in Rapid City with Pastor David Greenhood officiating and a private family burial following. A memorial has been established for the building fund at First Evangelical Free Church.
Friends may sign Jerry's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
He was born September 16, 1931, at Devils Lake, ND, to Haakon and Polly Aarsby. He attended the first 8 grades in a 2-room school in Garske, ND, where his parents had a general store and post office. He was always proud of his heritage, as his father came over from Norway at age 18 and his mother's parents also came from Norway.
Jerry graduated from high school in Devils Lake, ND. After graduation, he went to school in Minneapolis and from there to work for the Northern Pacific Railway as a tele-grapher between Bismarck, ND, and Livingston, MT.
In 1963, he joined Bill Dorr and opened an accounting and tax practice in Gillette, WY. In 1968, he went to work with L & H Welding & Machine and became a partner of Leon Wandler as accountant/business manager. During this time, his son, Larry, joined him. In 1989, as a result of mergers and diversification, Gases Plus Corporation was established. Today, Gases Plus is a distributor of industrial gases, welding, janitorial and safety supplies with 14 stores in Wyoming and Montana.
Jerry had a lifetime of numerous medical problems, beginning at age 3 when his first kidney was removed. He battled many serious illnesses throughout most of his adult life, but was always known for maintaining a great attitude.
His favorite hobbies were woodworking, golfing with buddies, fishing with his son and friends, remodeling homes and building commercial buildings. His most recent enjoyment had been reconstructing a miniature replica of his birth home and model railroading.
Throughout his life, he spent much time with church and civic activities including local and state Jaycees, the Gillette Chamber of Commerce, Gillette Golf Club, as well as a member of Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. He was also member and past treasurer of First Evangelical Church in Rapid City, where he realized the importance of a personal relationship with Christ.
Jerry was married to his devoted wife, Nat in 1977. Their combined families enjoyed nearly 30 years of Thanksgiving family gatherings that will be fondly remembered. Times spent with his grandchildren were especially cherished.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Jerry is survived by his lovely wife, Nat, his son, Larry Aarsby, of Gillette, WY, daughters Kathy Barker, of Casper, WY, Tammy Smith, of Cheyenne, WY, stepson Keith Rhudy, stepdaughters Cyndie Hamilton, Cheryl Smart, of Rapid City, 22 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and his dear sister, Jo Aarsby, of Rapid City.
Visitation will be held at Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 E. Minnesota Street, Rapid City, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 14, at 1:00 p.m. at First Evangelical Free Church, 1124 Kansas City Street, in Rapid City with Pastor David Greenhood officiating and a private family burial following. A memorial has been established for the building fund at First Evangelical Free Church.
Friends may sign Jerry's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.