Jerome "Jerry" Lulewicz, 80 of Mitchell, SD died Friday, January 22, 2021 at his home under hospice care surrounded by his family. Due to Covid concerns a private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with interment at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Will Funeral Chapel.

Jerome Anthony Lulewicz was born February 4, 1940 to Alyce Long Lulewicz and Anthony (Tony) Lulewicz in Mitchell SD.  He grew up in Mitchell and graduated from Mitchell High School in the class of 1958.

After high school, he graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University.  He also took classes from the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Purdue University to obtain his masters in 1968.  On December 26, 1963 he married Mary Ann Beck at Holy Spirit Church in Mitchell.

While still in high school, he worked for seven years at the Hotel Roberts.  Then after college graduation, he went to work for the SD Department of Transportation for a couple of years before teaching for the Mitchell Public Schools for thirty-four years.  Most of those years as a ninth-grade science teachers studying Lake Mitchell, the clouds and rock formations.  Also, during this time, he taught classes at Dakota Wesleyan University (16 years) and the University of South Dakota (3 years).   During the summer months he worked as a hail adjuster for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance for thirty-nine years.   After retiring from teaching, he spent two years with Central States Publishing selling books to school districts.

Jerry's true passion revolved around conservation, the environment and habitat.  He held offices with the SD Wildlife Federation, SD Wild Turkey Federation and was a founding member of the James River Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.   He was president of the James River Gobblers from 1999 to 2003.  He was also active in and held offices in the Mitchell Education Association.

He spent many hours volunteering with the clubs above as well as Energy and Mans Environment and Project Wild.  Accomplishments for his commitments include Mitchell Teacher of the Year in 1987, Hall of Fame with the SD Wildlife Federation, Hall of Fame with the South Dakota State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Mitchell Booster Club Fan of the Year.

Jerry's hobbies included fishing, hunting, golf, reading, anything sports Notre Dame and travel.  He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, always having a thing or two to teach or show them.

Grateful for every minute with him are his family, Mary Ann Lulewicz, Mitchell, daughters Stacy (Ryan) Buckley, Mitchell, Stephanie (Darren) Reasy, Mitchell and Kris (Cory) Goehring, Clear Lake, SD.   Along with his grandchildren Ethan Reasy , Allison (AJ) Krumley, Natalie (Jose Ortiz) Buckley and Carter Reasy.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Shylynn Reasy , sister, Vicki Kapitan, parents, and mother and father-in-law Myrtle and Denzell Beck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mitchell Community Scholarship, 821 N. Capital, Mitchell, SD.