SAYLER
Jerome “Jerry” Kenneth Sayler, 86, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his home. He was born on December 11, 1936, in Venturia, ND to Emil and Idalia (Wiedmann) Sayler. Growing up, Jerry often played baseball and basketball with his brother and friends; he also learned to play his father’s saxophone. These inspired lifelong loves of sports and music. Jerry graduated from high school in Ashley, ND, in 1954, and went on to study Pharmacy at North Dakota State University, graduating in 1958. Soon after, Jerry moved to Grand Forks, ND, and met the love of his life, JoAnn M. Street, at the pharmacy where they both worked. He married JoAnn on June 4, 1961 in Grand Forks, ND and they were happily married for 60 years. Together, they had two children, Wayne (1962) and Debra (1964). Their family enjoyed many summers at their cabin on Maple Lake and, later, annual trips to Mazatlán, Mexico. Jerry especially loved boating, fishing, sunbathing, and simply watching the water. Jerry’s professional dream was always to run his own pharmacy, and after working at Olson Drug in East Grand Forks, Minnesota for over a decade, he and JoAnn bought the store. Together, they ran Jerry’s Olson Drug for 20 years (1983-2002), even rebuilding after the major 1997 Red River flood. On a lighter note: Jerry even won the award for “Most Colorful Beard” at the East Grand Forks centennial celebration in 1987. In 2003, Jerry retired after 45 years and moved to Fort Madison, IA, to join JoAnn in caring for Debbie’s growing family. Over the past 20 years, he was a big supporter of athletics, music, and the arts at Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, even winning “Fan of the Year” along with his wife. In addition to HTC, Jerry was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and NDSU Bison. Jerry’s faith was also very important to him, accepting Jesus Christ as his savior in 1947. As young parents, he and JoAnn were highly involved at Grace Baptist Church, in Grand Forks, ND, where Jerry served on the Sunday School Board. He very much enjoyed the potlucks with the other young people of the church. Most recently, he attended Harmony Bible Church in Danville, IA.
Survivors include his brother, Milo (Ethel) Sayler of Mesa, AZ; sister, Marilyn (Alonzo) Boyle of Charleston, SC; son, Wayne Sayler of Grand Forks, ND; daughter, Debbie (Roy) Tinguely of Pagosa Springs, CO; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory in Fort Madison. The funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dan Dingus officiating. Burial will be at Nisbet Cemetery in East Grand Forks, MN. A memorial has been established for City Hope Foundation Food Pantry through Harmony Bible Church. Online condolences to the Sayler family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
