Joanne Jerred, 89, of Vermillion, SD formerly of Winner, SD passed away at her home in Vermillion on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.  Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 10:30AM at the Assembly of God Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will begin at 9:00AM the day of the service.

J oanne was born to Josephine (Cummings) Merchen and WIlliam Merchen in Witten, SD on September 19, 1933. Three years later, Joanne moved to Winner, SD. There, she graduated high school in 1952; married Calvin Jerred in 1954, with whom she raised five children; and lived until April 2022. She will be remembered by her family as their matriarch who inspired a deep love of Jesus, service, and music.

During her time in Winner, Joanne was an active community and church member. She was often seen throwing strikes at the Winner bowling alley or cheering loudly at the Winner Warrior games. Joanne also led a life of service and volunteered regularly, especially at the hospital and within her church. Joanne was a charter member of Winner Assembly of God, and she was honored in April 2022 for her participation in the church board and over fifty years of playing the piano and teaching Sunday School.

Joanne inspired a love of music not only in her own children, but also in the countless students she taught from Winner and the surrounding areas. She is remembered for her patience, kindness, and talent. Her grandchildren often watched in awe as she played "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Rimsky-Korsakov, a tune that very few pianists can master. Even in her last days, she played a self-created compilation of a dozen songs, with no music, as a tribute to veterans living in her apartment complex.

In order to be closer to family, Joanne moved to Vermillion, SD in April 2022. She continued to be an avid reader and formidable Scrabble player, and she attended her great-grandchildrens' events regularly. Whenever they visited, she was known to sneak candy into little hands with a wink and a warm smile.

Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and William Merchen; her sisters, Dorothy, Aileen, and Louise; her brothers, Richard and Ronald; and her husband, Calvin Jerred.

She is survived by her children, Kelly (Carla) Jerred of Rapid City, SD; Mike (Deb) Jerred of Sioux Falls, SD; Mark (Lori) Jerred of Vermillion, SD; Debi (Mark) Roggensack of Gurnee, IL; Steve (Crystal) Jerred of Fairmont, MN; as well as twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren with another on the way and many nieces and nephews.