Gerald Dean "Jerry" Kale, 62, of Billings, passed away at his home Sunday, March 1, 2009, surrounded by family. He was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Sidney, the son of Earl and Betty (Phillips) Kale. The family moved to Billings shortly after and the Heights area has been his home for the past 60 years.
Jerry graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1964 and joined the Army Reserves in August 1966. During his time in the Reserves, he received an award as Marksman (Rifle M-14).
On Jan. 29, 1966, he married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Sharon Reichert. They just celebrated 43 years of marriage and many wonderful memories.
Jerry had been a carpenter by trade. He became the owner of Kale Construction when his father retired from building. He was not only a carpenter, homebuilder, but a fine craftsman, taking pride in every detail, from framing to finish work. He retired in 2001 to take time for the other joys of life. He took every chance to be at any function of all his grandchildren, setting aside his personal struggles to take in every last minute.
Jerry enjoyed everything outdoors: fishing, camping on the Boulder River, waterskiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, baseball, softball and Earnhardt racing.
Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon; sons, Troy (Marianne) and their children Mathew and Madison of Billings, Tate (Andreé) and their children Jackson and Clare of Bullard, Texas; daughter Traci (Jason) Henrickson and their children Alex and Jalin of Billings; mother Betty Kale; sisters Sharon (Leo) Wingerter and Annette (Bill) Merrell; brother Bill Kale; sister-in-law Judi Kale; and many other beloved family and friends, including his wife's loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; and brother Doug Kale.
Special thanks to Dr. Roger Williams for his many years of care, compassion and professionalism, and to the RiverStone Hospice staff for their care of Jerry and their support of the family.
A vigil service for Jerry will be 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, with Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, both at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Committal will be in Bridger Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.
The Billings Gazette - March 02, 2009
Jerry graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1964 and joined the Army Reserves in August 1966. During his time in the Reserves, he received an award as Marksman (Rifle M-14).
On Jan. 29, 1966, he married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Sharon Reichert. They just celebrated 43 years of marriage and many wonderful memories.
Jerry had been a carpenter by trade. He became the owner of Kale Construction when his father retired from building. He was not only a carpenter, homebuilder, but a fine craftsman, taking pride in every detail, from framing to finish work. He retired in 2001 to take time for the other joys of life. He took every chance to be at any function of all his grandchildren, setting aside his personal struggles to take in every last minute.
Jerry enjoyed everything outdoors: fishing, camping on the Boulder River, waterskiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, baseball, softball and Earnhardt racing.
Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon; sons, Troy (Marianne) and their children Mathew and Madison of Billings, Tate (Andreé) and their children Jackson and Clare of Bullard, Texas; daughter Traci (Jason) Henrickson and their children Alex and Jalin of Billings; mother Betty Kale; sisters Sharon (Leo) Wingerter and Annette (Bill) Merrell; brother Bill Kale; sister-in-law Judi Kale; and many other beloved family and friends, including his wife's loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; and brother Doug Kale.
Special thanks to Dr. Roger Williams for his many years of care, compassion and professionalism, and to the RiverStone Hospice staff for their care of Jerry and their support of the family.
A vigil service for Jerry will be 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, with Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, both at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Committal will be in Bridger Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.
The Billings Gazette - March 02, 2009
Gerald Dean "Jerry" Kale, 62, of Billings, passed away at his home Sunday, March 1, 2009, surrounded by family. He was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Sidney, the son of Earl and Betty (Phillips) Kale. The family moved to Billings shortly after and the Heights area has been his home for the past 60 years.
Jerry graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1964 and joined the Army Reserves in August 1966. During his time in the Reserves, he received an award as Marksman (Rifle M-14).
On Jan. 29, 1966, he married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Sharon Reichert. They just celebrated 43 years of marriage and many wonderful memories.
Jerry had been a carpenter by trade. He became the owner of Kale Construction when his father retired from building. He was not only a carpenter, homebuilder, but a fine craftsman, taking pride in every detail, from framing to finish work. He retired in 2001 to take time for the other joys of life. He took every chance to be at any function of all his grandchildren, setting aside his personal struggles to take in every last minute.
Jerry enjoyed everything outdoors: fishing, camping on the Boulder River, waterskiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, baseball, softball and Earnhardt racing.
Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon; sons, Troy (Marianne) and their children Mathew and Madison of Billings, Tate (Andreé) and their children Jackson and Clare of Bullard, Texas; daughter Traci (Jason) Henrickson and their children Alex and Jalin of Billings; mother Betty Kale; sisters Sharon (Leo) Wingerter and Annette (Bill) Merrell; brother Bill Kale; sister-in-law Judi Kale; and many other beloved family and friends, including his wife's loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; and brother Doug Kale.
Special thanks to Dr. Roger Williams for his many years of care, compassion and professionalism, and to the RiverStone Hospice staff for their care of Jerry and their support of the family.
A vigil service for Jerry will be 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, with Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, both at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Committal will be in Bridger Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.
The Billings Gazette - March 02, 2009
Jerry graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1964 and joined the Army Reserves in August 1966. During his time in the Reserves, he received an award as Marksman (Rifle M-14).
On Jan. 29, 1966, he married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart Sharon Reichert. They just celebrated 43 years of marriage and many wonderful memories.
Jerry had been a carpenter by trade. He became the owner of Kale Construction when his father retired from building. He was not only a carpenter, homebuilder, but a fine craftsman, taking pride in every detail, from framing to finish work. He retired in 2001 to take time for the other joys of life. He took every chance to be at any function of all his grandchildren, setting aside his personal struggles to take in every last minute.
Jerry enjoyed everything outdoors: fishing, camping on the Boulder River, waterskiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, baseball, softball and Earnhardt racing.
Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon; sons, Troy (Marianne) and their children Mathew and Madison of Billings, Tate (Andreé) and their children Jackson and Clare of Bullard, Texas; daughter Traci (Jason) Henrickson and their children Alex and Jalin of Billings; mother Betty Kale; sisters Sharon (Leo) Wingerter and Annette (Bill) Merrell; brother Bill Kale; sister-in-law Judi Kale; and many other beloved family and friends, including his wife's loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; and brother Doug Kale.
Special thanks to Dr. Roger Williams for his many years of care, compassion and professionalism, and to the RiverStone Hospice staff for their care of Jerry and their support of the family.
A vigil service for Jerry will be 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, with Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, both at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Committal will be in Bridger Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.
The Billings Gazette - March 02, 2009
