Jerald "Jerry" Douglas Bream, age 85, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at his home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church (1600 S Marion Rd., Sioux Falls, SD) with family present one hour prior for visitation.

Jerry was born on June 18, 1939 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was the sixth and last-born child of Ivan and Claire (Molseed) Bream. Jerry spent his childhood on the family farm working alongside his dad and brothers. He was active in 4-H, raising and showing his cattle at the fairs. He attended school at one room school houses, first Oaks #10 and then Lackey #50. He would often joke about being the smartest kid in his class before finally letting his family know that he was the only one in his class, which was very reflective of Jerry's wonderful sense of humor. His high school years were spent at St. Joseph's Cathedral where he graduated in 1957. He attended SDSU for several years and was always proud to be a Jackrabbit.

Jerry went to work for Western Electric before enlisting in the Army. He then was stationed in Germany for three years and then returned to work at Western Electric. While installing a telephone in an office at WECO in Deadwood, Jerry met the love of his life, Dottie. The couple were married on March 30, 1968 at St. Ambrose Church in Deadwood. They shared 56 loving years together and raised their two sons, Jeff, born in 1975, and Tony, born in 1977.

In younger years, Jerry volunteered as a youth coach for baseball, first in Rapid City and later in Sioux Falls. As his sons became older, he coached their soccer teams and basketball games. Jerry loved all sports, but the Minnesota Vikings were number one in his heart, no matter if the rest of the sports world agreed. Jerry made many fond memories going on fishing trips with his fellow WECO installers and golfing with his buddies from Cathedral High. He was proud of the three holes-in-one that he achieved on the golf course in his lifetime.

After 35 years of installing for WECO/Alcatel Lucent and 15 years representing CWA Local 7290 for the State of South Dakota, Jerry was ready to call it a day. In retirement, he spent many summers with Dottie at their vacation home in the Black Hills where they fished, hiked, and rode their ATVs. To escape the cold and snow, they visited their winter home in Arizona where Jerry, of course, loved to golf. They later moved back to Sioux Falls to be closer to family and grandchildren. Above all else, Jerry valued his faith, especially his church and love for Jesus, and his family.

Those who are left behind to grieve the loss of Jerry and who feel blessed to have been a part of his life are his sons, Jeff (Brit Whalen) Bream and Tony Bream, both of Sioux Falls, SD; his granddaughters, Morgan (Wesley Layton) Bream, Brielle Whalen, and Lainey Bream; his great-grandchildren, Blakeley Layton and Sutton Craft; his brother, Rev. Jim Bream; and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy "Dottie" Bream; his parents, Ivan and Claire Bream; his brother, Bob Bream; and his sisters, Betty, Marilyn Van Dam, and Susanne Hunt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Realtors For Kids of the Sioux Empire.