Gerald Lee "Jerry" Redinger
1936 - 2019
Obituary
Gerald (Jerry) Lee Redinger was born
Dec. 25, 1936, in Jetmore, to Walter Redinger and Pearl (Tucker)
Redinger. He joined two brothers, Wendell and Darwin. Jerry won grand
prize at the state fair in 1937 for perfect baby in a Kansas contest.
In 1939, the family moved to the farm in rural Halstead. Jerry
attended a country grade school, a mile south of the farm. He
attended Newton High School for two years, played football and
graduated from Halstead High School in 1954.
Jerry worked at Newton Appliance as a
repairman and ate lunch most days at the Corner Lunch in Newton where
Darlene Nickel was a waitress. After many attempts, Darlene finally
agreed to go on a date with Jerry; they dated six months and were
married June 3, 1956.
Jerry joined the Army in 1959. He
received a hardship discharge in 1960 to take over the family farm
when his father, Walter, passed away. Jerry raised crops and
livestock. They adopted their son, Vincent (Vince) Lee Redinger in
1962 at two months old and in 1966 adopted Sheryl (Sherry) Ann
Redinger in 1966 at three months old.
Jerry worked hard and played hard. In
addition to farming, he enjoyed going to the lake with the Paul Bean
family, Roger Wiles family and many others. Jerry and Darlene owned
the laundromat in Halstead in the '60s and were co-owners of Country
Sod Farm with Gary Wray, along with harvesting. Jerry went into
business with neighbor and friend John Weber with R&W Earth
Moving, and in the winter months during the '80s, Jerry pulled mobile
homes and did over-the-road trucking. In 1972, Jerry began custom
harvesting in the summer with his brother-in-law, Johnny Nickel.
Johnny retired in 1982. When he retired, Jerry and Vince started the
family business, Redinger and Son Harvesting from 1982-1992.
Traveling from Texas to Montana with the entire family, Jerry hired
young men and women to work for them in the summer and treated them
like family. Jerry allowed Vince and Sherry's friends to come to the
farm whenever they wanted. At the farm, or the lake, it was always an
open door policy where everyone felt welcome.
After retiring from harvesting in 1992,
Jerry's focus was back on the farm, as he worked and played hard.
Throughout Jerry and Darlene's entire married life, they enjoyed
camping and boating. Jerry loved taking his entire family, friends
and, yes, his beloved cat, "Itty Bitty," on the pontoon
boat. He enjoyed campfires and cookouts. Jerry also enjoyed cruises,
He and Darlene went on 15 cruises including Alaska, the Caribbean and
Europe. They traveled on all 10 KFDI Radio cruises and made many
friends they called their "Cruise Buddies."
He liked collecting and tinkering with
classic cars. His pride and joy was his 1958 Mercury Monterrey. He
loved NASCAR, football, watching his kids play sports and school
activities, playing cards with friends and, most of all, farming. He
truly enjoyed working and sharing the family farm with his son,
Vince.
He was a father figure in every way to
his daughter-in-law, Brenda (Brunk, Blanco) Redinger, married to
Vince Redinger. and son-in-law, Gary (Archer) Redinger, married to
Sheryl Redinger. He loved them as if they were his own. His
grandsons: Matthew Balzer, Ryan Redinger, Michael Blanco (Autumn) and
Thomas Blanco, were the light of his life.
On Oct. 2, 2011, Jerry accepted Jesus
as his Lord and Savior and in 2012 was baptized, declaring his love
of the Lord. In August 2016, Jerry and Darlene were crowned
Halstead's Old Settlers King and Queen, honoring their years and
contributions to the Halstead community.
Jerry and Darlene were married almost
63 years, years filled with hard work, love and joy. They worked
together as one. Some years were tough, but they were always
together, side by side, loving, supporting and cherishing each other.
Jerry went to be with the Lord on
Tuesday (March 5, 2019). A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Saturday (March 16, 2019) at Grace Community Church in Newton. There
will not be a public visitation. A private family internment will
take place at a later date. The family will be having a summer
Pontoon Boat Party to celebrate Jerry's life. All friends and family
will be invited.
Memorial suggestions are for the
American Cancer Society and Clear Path Hospice in care of Petersen
Funeral Home, 215 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114.
Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
