Gerald R. "Jerry" Goodteacher 1943-2011

GOODTEACHER JOHN PELKEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/28/2011 at 13:55:13

Sioux City Journal
10 January 2011

Gerald R. "Jerry" Goodteacher, 67, of Sioux City died on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at a local hospital.

Traditional Native American services will be held at noon Tuesday at Four Directions Center, 613 Water Street in Sioux City, with Mr. Ron Thomas officiating. Interment will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Winnebago Cemetery at Winnebago, Neb. Visitation began on Sunday and will continue until service time Tuesday at the Four Directions Center. Waterbury Funeral Service has been entrusted in caring for Jerry and his family at this time. Online condolences may be left at www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Jerry was born on Dec. 20, 1943, in Denver, Colo., the son of Emil and Julia (John) Goodteacher. He lived in the Santee, Neb., area until the age of 13, when he came to Sioux City.

He was united in marriage with Sandra Pelkey on Sept. 30, 1964, at St. Paul's Indian Mission. This union was blessed with four children. Jerry was a self-employed carpet layer for more than 50 years. During this time he was associated with several different floor covering companies including Fashion Floors and Knova.

He was a member of St. Paul's Indian Mission, where he served as a spiritual leader for many years. Jerry loved life; he truly enjoyed the wonderful times he spent with his family, enjoying the great outdoors, as well as participating in the sports of baseball and basketball. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He always enjoyed sharing his sense of humor with his many friends and family.

Jerry will be missed by his family which includes his loving wife of 46 years, Sandra; his two sons, Vincent of Charlton, Mass., and James of Sioux City; his two daughters, Gina Eichmann and Jeryl Chmura, both of Sioux City; his four brothers, Elmer of Denver, Colo., Emil of Yankton, S.D., Tommy and Stevie, both of Santee, Neb.; and his sisters, Priscilla Brandt and Jullian Goodteacher, both of Sioux City, Joni Saul, Theresa DeCoryl and Sharon Yellowcloud, all of Santee. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger.