Jerry Palmer Sather, 76, passed away peacefully at home in his bed June 5, 2024. How does one find words to describe the beautiful, special, and hilarious person that he was? I’m sure he’d have a few suggestions, though none of them would be serious, of course.
He was world-renowned for his lack of patience, not holding back his opinion, and a knack for telling it like it is. He always told you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. He had the best sense of humor, a carefree attitude, and there was always a goofy grin on his face.
Jerry was born on Nov. 24, 1947 to Palmer and Florence Sather. He was raised in River Falls, Wis. In 1967, Jerry was drafted to the US Army and served in the Vietnam war. After discharge from the service, Jerry married the love of his life, Betsy Sather (Ash) of Baldwin, Wis. on April 25, 1970. Later, they were blessed with two children, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
His younger years were spent working as a loan officer for the State Bank of Centuria, but for medical reasons he was unable to work after the age of 31. Even without a formal job, Jerry was busier than most working people. He always had a full schedule, packed with coffee at various places, volunteer work, playing cards, vacations, and showing up to support his friends and family at every chance he got.
He spent many years wintering at his beloved home in Bonita Springs, Fla. You could find him living his best life here cruising in his golf cart, visiting with his friends, laughing over coffee, and attending several events that he had scheduled every night of the week including bowling, euchre, poker, bocce ball, ukulele lessons, and whatever other trouble he could get himself into.
Everywhere he went he was a friend to all, even strangers. He was involved in the American Legion in River Falls and when he was home, he never missed bingo at the Westwind. He volunteered several years for MS Camp held at Camp Courage as well as MD camp.
Jerry loved the Green Bay Packers, coffee, cookies, ME TV, dancing, entertaining, laughing, and most of all his numerous friends and family. He took life as it was and always had a positive attitude, even in his final days on earth. He was a mover; he moved often, from River Falls, Frederic, Centuria, and back to River Falls. He also loved any deal and bargain he could find at a garage sale or auction.
The world would be a better place if we were all a bit more like Jerry. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him, among them; when life knocks you down (quite literally for our accident-prone Jerry) get back up again, if someone offers you a cookie always ask for three (one is never enough), golf carts can in fact double as daily drivers, gasoline is not an effective weed killer, never take life too seriously, in case of a Florida hurricane emergency always have peanut butter and bread handy, go check out that garage sale or auction, if it isn’t good for your soul tell it where to go, don’t be afraid to look dumb, make new friends, laugh any chance you get, stay young at heart, volunteer your time, dance your heart out, and most importantly, show up for your friends and family.
He will be sorely missed and survived by his wife, Betsy Sather; children, Jeff Sather (Kristan Klumb), Sarah Sather; grandchildren, Jordan (Alex) Parmeter and Alex Sather; step-granddaughter, Liliana Cudd; great-grandson, Harrison Parmeter; siblings, Roger Sather, Margaret Bredahl, Karen (John) Hamilton, Lorin (June) Sather; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Florence Sather; and brother-in-law, Darwin Bredahl and is reunited with many friends and family in eternal life.
A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Fletcher-Pechacek American Legion Post 121 (701 N. Main St. River Falls, WI.) Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. with a service at 5 p.m., followed by Military Honors. After Honors have been performed, a meal will be served and we will celebrate and remember Jerry until 8 p.m. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
