Gary A. Juergens

Gary Juergens

LIBERTY, Tenn. — Gary A. Juergens, 77, Liberty, Tenn., died Oct. 7, 2022, at the Hendersonville Medical Center, Hendersonville, Tenn.

Funeral services will be Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m., at the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Gilbert, Cody Gilbert, Marlin Schmit, Aaron Schmit, Patrick Schmit and Roman Heimes.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, at the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton. Visitation will continue, Saturday, one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.

Gary Alban was born Nov. 20, 1944, in Fordyce, to Herbert W. and Alfrida (Rupiper) Juergens. He grew up in the Fordyce area and attended St. John’s Elementary, Fordyce, and graduated from Holy Trinity High School, Hartington, in 1963. Gary joined the Army National Guard of South Dakota in 1966 and served until 1972. Gary began working for the Yankton Police Department in 1970 and was married to Carole Jackson April 4, 1970, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton. They had two children, Jeffery and Jill. In 1971, Gary formed a partnership with Dale Diede called DJ’s Service Station in Yankton, S.D. He owned and operated this until 1973. Gary also worked for S&T Trailer in Yankton, where they moved mobile homes, until working for Jensen’s Scrap Metal, Yankton. The family then moved to the Juergens’ home farm near Fordyce in 1975. They lived there until 1987, when they moved to Madison, Tenn. Gary worked for Home Depot and Lowe’s over the years in the Liberty area. His last employment was for Big G Transport, Lebanon, Tenn. He retired in 2017 to enjoy riding his four-wheeler, which he called his “air time, wind therapy.”

Gary was a car enthusiast and loved his 1969 Dodge Charger. He loved living in the country and continued deer hunting, his favorite sport, and feeding the wildlife. It was quite the day when he taught Jeff to drive a tractor, and Jill the old Datsun pickup that was a clutch. Gary passed down to both his grandsons his knowledge of firearms. It was those treasured memories of being with Tyler at the gun range practicing rifle shooting and at a very young age Cody sitting with him memorizing the gun magazines. The thrill of riding Grandpa’s four-wheeler brought many fun times. Gary remained a true Go Big Red Nebraska Husker fan.

Gary is survived by his two children, Jeffery (Yolanda) Juergens, White House, Tenn., and Jill (Charles) Gilbert, Clarksville, Tenn.; two grandsons, Tyler and Cody Gilbert, Clarksville, Tenn.; his ex-wife, Carole Juergens, Antioch, Tenn.; three brothers, Wayne Juergens, Yankton, S.D.; Ralph (Kathy) Juergens, Ridgetop, Tenn.; and Jerry Juergens, Lincoln; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Alfrida Juergens; a sister, Bona Jean Schmit, and her husband, Robert.