Beverly 'Bev' Jerke was lifted on the wings of angels to be with her Savior on June 14, 2011. We are comforted knowing she now dances with Angels and walks with Jesus.

She was born the last of 11 children to George and Alice Markley in Highmore, SD on June 4, 1940. After high school Bev went on to graduate from Nettleton College. After college, she lived in the Pierre area and worked at the Capital for the Secretary of Education. It was a chance meeting that she met the man she would eventually be married to for over 50 years, Clarence Jerke. They settled in the Carter, SD area where they farmed, ranched and raised 8 children. Eventually they move to their favorite vacation spot, the Black Hills where they opened a greenhouse and lawn and garden service. As the children grew up, so the house grew empty and the prairie sunsets came calling. They move to Alliance, NE where they lived until returning to the Black Hills for health reasons.

Bev always had a joke to tell and an infectious laugh. She was a master storyteller whether it was reminiscing down to the minutest details of past experiences or making up an unforgettable bedtime story on the fly. Through all the trials and tribulations that came her way, she always maintained an optimistic outlook, which inspired us all. Her strong faith in the Lord carried her through all. Bev had the ability to turn thunderstorms into rainbows, truly blessing all who knew and loved her.

Beverly is survived by the love of her life, Clarence Jerke, of Hot Springs,SD, her 8 children, Doug Jerke, Alliance, NE, Lee (Alma) Jerke, Alliance, NE, Scott Jerke, Winter Park, CO, Deb (Dave) Nelson, Great Falls, MT, Sandie (Jason) Ingersoll, Rapid City, SD, Matt (Sue) Jerke, Monteagle, TN, Karen (Curtis) Street, Hill City, SD, Jake Jerke, Rapid City, SD, and what we called her "9th child", her precious shih tzu Molly, 7 grandchildren and 2 sisters, Diz Coffman, Amarillo, TX, and Bernie Barnes, Huron, SD. She was preceded in death by 8 of her brothers and sisters, her parents and one grandchild.

Special thanks and gratitude to the residents and staff at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs for enabling Bev to live her last years to the fullest. Thanks also to the incomparable care and expertise provided over the past five years from both the Hot Springs and Rapid City medical staff, hospitals and clinics.

Funeral services will be at 10am, Saturday, June 18th at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD.
Burial service will be at 11:30am, Monday, June 20th at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Memorial Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made to www.mccolleyschapels.com.