If you have a car show vehicle, drive it to Ed’s Memorial Service and let’s give Ed a special send off.

Ed Jerde, 71, died on May 17, 2026 after a short, but hard-fought battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Born in Britton, SD on April 16, 1955, Edward became the fifth child of Desmond and Cecelia (Butenhoff) Jerde. He grew up in the family home and was always proud that the house has been in the family since 1920 when Grandfather Ed Jerde purchased it.

As a youngster, Ed became intensely interested in cars. This fascination led Ed to the University of South Dakota for a business degree, then he returned to Britton to work at Thorp Auto. As the dealership closed or changed hands, Ed worked for Dugdale’s Auto and later for John Deere. In semi-retirement Ed worked for Supply Technologies, taking hardware out to Horton Industries.

Family, faith, and community were all important in Ed’s life. Taking care of his dad and mom for much of his adult life is a tribute to how loving he was. They helped each other, each to their strengths (Cec’s domain was the kitchen, even though she diligently tried to teach Ed to cook over the years). Ed and his family enjoyed traveling, sometimes just Ed and his mom, sometimes with siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. For several years, the family vacationed with Kenny and Dorothy Stillson’s family to the Hemisfair in Texas, to Colorado and beyond. Those trips were some of Ed’s cherished memories.

Ed’s service to our community was faith-based. He was instrumental in many projects at First Lutheran Church serving as a trustee, renovating the church ceiling, setting up the security system, the projection, and sound systems. Ed’s community involvement ranged from serving as a Volunteer Fireman for North Marshall Fire Department, going on a Presbyterian-led mission trip to rebuild a home on High Island, TX after Hurricane Ike, working with the museum board, and Historical Society. Ed’s love of history earned him the unofficial title of “town historian”. He compiled and self-published Photo History of Britton SD as a fundraiser for the museum. Ed’s love of history and cars meant he loved car shows! He was involved in area car shows, with his vintage vehicles often winning awards.

Always on the move, Ed was happiest when he was traveling. That joy increased dramatically when he and Maggie Hensley reconnected at a class reunion. Ed convinced Maggie to leave Arizona and move back to Britton! (Brrr – but true love withstands cold winters!) They were married in 2017, and Ed gained a ready-made family. He was thrilled when he became a grandpa! It was a role he embraced, and he especially liked sharing his love of Lego and Hot Wheels with Henry. Granddaughter Alden (Ollie) shared a very special bond with Grandpa, insisting on talking to him before Grandma.

Ed and Maggie’s Adventures included snorkeling, boating, kayaking, and cruising the Caribbean. Camping and riding bicycles on beaches, cross country trails, and around lakes were favorite warm weather activities for them. Exploring National Parks brought great joy to Ed. While Glacier was his favorite, others were visited more often, especially Bryce Canyon and White Sands National Parks.

Ed loved to ‘go for a drive’ and Ed and Maggie had many spontaneous adventures such as road trips from Florida to California to Idaho and all points in between. At the time of Ed’s passing there were just a few states left on the “50 States Together” map.

Still in this realm to share precious memories are Ed’s wife, Maggie; children, Wyatt (Shawn) Kalbrener, Sawyer Forbes, and Moriah (Jordan) Munch; grandchildren, Henry and Alden Munch; siblings, Lloyd Jerde, Susan (Paul) Frederickson and David (Judy) Jerde; sisters-in-law, Bette Jerde and Cecelia (LeRoy) Johnson; plus many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Greeting Ed in heaven are his parents, grandparents, and brother, Duane.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the North Marshall Fire Department.

Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Maggie Hensley – PO Box 287 – Britton, SD 57430.

A full obituary and online guestbook are available at www.olsonfuneralchapel.com