Jerry H. Schluter

Jerry Schluter, age 85, of Ririe, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023, at his Birch Creek farm where he had lived his whole life, with the love of his life and his family.

Jerry was born on February 17, 1938, in Idaho Falls and was the second born to John and Mildred Schluter. Jerry attended school in Ririe. 

After high school, Jerry enlisted in the Army and did Active Duty for six months, then served in the Army National Guard for three years.

Jerry then set his sights on Bea Schneider after a party at Meadow Creek and later ran off to Elko, Nevada, where they were married June 5, 1965. Jerry and Bea had three children, Stephanie, Michael, and Denise. Stephanie passed away in October of 1983. 

Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls. He had a passion for farming and was inducted into the Idaho Farmers Hall of Fame in 2013. 

In the winters you could find Jerry on the slopes in Idaho and Utah as that was his passion. He was a ski patrolman and ski instructor at Kelly Canyon for 50 years. He was also a snowmobile mechanic in Ririe and worked for Jack Ryan for many years. 

Jerry was very involved in his community, he coached little league basketball, little league baseball, was a golf coach for Ririe High School, taught youth hunters education, and served on many agriculture boards. Jerry loved his family and was involved in every sporting event; he never missed a game or activity his children were in. Jerry loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and you would always find one sitting on his lap taking a nap or letting one of them paint his toenails.

Jerry celebrated his 85th birthday on February 17th. After that, Jerry declined quickly and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on May 7th.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bea; son, Michael Schluter; daughter, Denise (Todd) Sutton; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Schluter; sister, Barbara Jensen; daughter, Stephanie; and great-granddaughter, Harper Crider.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services, both visitations at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery where Military Honors will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Ririe Chapel After School Bible Club, PO Box 503, Ririe, ID 83443.