Jerry Lee Kaiser, 74, died Aug. 18, 2024. He was born July 1, 1950, in Phillipsburg, Kan., to Gus and Evelyn Kaiser.

He was raised on a farm and had fond memories of raising and selling watermelons. He attended Colby Community College and found his calling to become a minister, which led him to Grace College in Omaha, Neb., where he met his wife, Allene Wiens. They were married in her hometown of Meade, Kan.

They found their way to Marion, S.D., where he was pastor of Bethesda Mennonite Church for 11 years. While in South Dakota, Jerry and Allene had their first and only child, Matthew. Jerry’s next pastorate was at Inman Mennonite Church in Kansas, where he served 18 years. He was very involved in the community, especially as a regular attendee of Ruthie’s Café for morning coffee. He drove the same old John Deere he drove as a kid 30 years earlier to visit his church members around town.

He last pastorate was in Aberdeen, Idaho, where he had to learn how his parishioners farmed potatoes instead of wheat. While in Idaho, he enjoyed trips to the nearby Tetons with his family. His time in Aberdeen was cut short by a stroke, and he then moved to be with his son in Eugene, Ore., where he enjoyed making new friends in town and the company of his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Allene; son Matthew (Hang Pham); two grandchildren; and a sister, Judy McLean.