Jerald Esget, 89, Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Jerald C. Esget died on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023 from kidney failure in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

He was born on Oct. 22, 1933 in Webster, S.D. Jerald “Jerry” graduated from the South Dakota State - Brookings with a major in English Education.

In 1954, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Pekron. He was in the military a short-time before starting his first teaching position in Hendricks, Minn. During his time, he coached and umpired baseball while living in Hendricks.

In 1962, the family moved to Owatonna, where he taught English at Owatonna High School until his retirement in 1993. During his tenure at OHS, he taught and coached 9th and 10th grade basketball and baseball. In 1973, Jerry won Owatonna Teacher of the Year.

In 1977, Jerry married Mary Lu Peck. They were married until his death. For many years, Jerry and MaryLu spent summers at their lake home on Crane Lake and winters in Sun Lakes, Ariz. Jerry loved fishing and golfing.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lu; daughters: Julie (Keith) Kiel, Jill (Chris) Prohaski; step daughter Robyn (Lian)Tan, and son Christopher (Pam) Bakken. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and brothers Keith (Darleen) Esget and Craig Esget, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Hazel (Anderson) Esget, a sister Mary Davis, and a nephew Randy Esget.

Family will be having a private memorial at Fort Snelling this spring.