Jerald Gregory Popham, age 83, of Watertown, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown. Father Paul Rutten will be the celebrant.
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Monday from 4-7 p.m. with a Scripture Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary and active pallbearers will be Jerald’s grandchildren, and will also include former employees of South Dakota Livestock Sales.
Jerald Gregory Popham was born on Sept. 22, 1935, to Harry and Teresa (Maag) Popham in Watertown. Jerald started farming at an early age. When his father Harry suffered a heart attack, Jerald at the age of 5 helped his older brothers plant and harvest the crop. He graduated from Thomas High School in 1954, where he was active in multiple sports, class leadership and school plays. After high school, Jerald continued farming with his brother. In 1957, Jerald married Nelda Marie Anderson. He and Nelda raised their family, while working hard to build their farming operation and raising cattle. Jerald was a seed salesman for many years, selling first Trojan, then Keltgen, and finally Microgen seed products. In 1980, they purchased in partnership South Dakota Livestock Sales. This too, became a family endeavor with Jerald working in the ring, the boys working the back pens, and Nelda running the lunch counter. Jerald did what he loved most, working on the farm and raising cattle, until his health no longer permitted. In retirement, he and Nelda moved to Watertown.
Jerald was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grover, SD, and most recently, a member of Immaculate Conception Church. He served on the Hayti Coop Elevator Board, and enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, and working hard on the farm. Jerald will be remembered for his involvement within the church, and for his love of spending quality time with his family.
Jerald is survived by his wife, Nelda; five children: Kathryn (John) Livingston of Brookings, Sheila (Robert) Koerlin, of Rapid City, Bob (Cathy) Popham of Hayti, Linda (Toby) Lemme of Volga, Julie (Chris) Theisen of Thompson, North Dakota; daughter-in-law, Tammy Popham of Hayti; 16 grandchildren: Kelsey and Nathan Popham, Stephan, Skylar and Mariah Livingston, Kayla Carter, Marissa Layman, Kelsy Koerlin, Jessica Waldman, Kyle, Travis and Jordan Popham, Payton and Morgan Lemme, Emma and Evan Theisen; and 8 great-grandchildren: Easton and Lawson Waldman, Braxton Popham, Zayden Wolk, Sophia and Luka Gallardo Popham, Pierce Carter and Fynton Layman. Jerald is also survived by two brothers: Lynell Popham of Florence, and Gene (Marlys) Popham of Watertown; and two sisters-in-law: Donna (Roger) Anderson of Lake Norden, and Carol Olson of Watertown.
Jerald was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Michael Popham, one brother, Phillip Popham, one sister-in-law, Anna Mae Popham, and one brother-in-law, Harlan Olson.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel. www.crawfordosthus.com.
