Jerald E. Berve

Jerald E. Berve was born in Williston, North Dakota on April 30, 1935 during a dust storm. He grew up on the farm, where he learned his strong work ethic. Three years after graduating high school in Alamo, ND, he decided he didn’t want to be a farmer. He went to Minot, ND Business College where he met June Nyreen from Portal, ND. They were married June 30, 1957 in Columbus, ND.

His career with Sherwin-Williams Paint Company began as credit in Minot, ND. After three years he was transferred to Austin, MN as store manager. Another three years and he was transferred to Billings, MT in 1964. He really liked our city and refused any more transfers. He worked his way up to district manager. He excelled in sales and received much recognition, awards, and trips that he and June took together. He retired after 38 years with Sherwin-Williams. He and June had taken several cruises, travels in their motor home, and spent 14 years as snowbirds in Arizona. In 2014 they moved to Mission Ridge on the St. John’s United campus.

Jerald was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church. He coached Little League baseball, volunteered for SCORE and Christikon Bible Camp. He was a member of the Elks and served on the St. John’s Board of Directors for four years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, card games, and especially playing pool. A lifelong Christian, Jerry was fond of saying, “The Good Lord has blessed me all of my life."

He was blessed with four children; Jerilyn (Keith) Dukart, James (Julie Jensen) Berve, Jon Berve, Jeffrey (Amy Freitag) Berve; seven grandchildren, Brian Dukart, Jake (Megan Salo) Dukart, Melissa Dukart (Ben) Livesay, Stacie Berve (Colton) Tipton, Mike (Alicia Caddell) Berve, Tasia Berve, Kyler (Kimberli) Berve; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jamey Wood-Dukart, Aubree Dukart, Peyton and Griffin Tipton, Bryar and Luke Berve, Ember Berve, Owen, Kaden and Nolan Livesay, Lia, Rheya, and Ruth Berve.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Viola (Bilquist) Berve; his only sibling, Clarice Berve Anderson; and an infant son.

Jerald is survived by his wife of 68 years, June; his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Randall (Jennifer) Anderson of Maine, and Reid (and family) Anderson of Germany.

Visitation will be 2:00-4:00pm on Friday, November 14 at Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue, Billings. Funeral will be at 10:00am on Saturday, November 15 at Peace Lutheran Church, 1301 Avenue D, Billings. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. John’s United Spiritual Care Fund or Peace Lutheran Church Food Pantry.