Jerald "Jerry" Vance

Funeral Services for Jerald “Jerry” Vance, 67 of Dickinson will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Cheryl Lantz officiating.  Burial will follow at the ND Veterans Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home.

Jerry passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.

Jerald “Jerry” Alfred Vance was born August 13, 1956 in Williston, ND. He was the sixth of seven children born to Dennis and Neoma (Moen) Vance. Jerry grew up on the family farm south of Wheelock, ND. He attended grade school in Wheelock and graduated high school from Ray, ND in 1974. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was awarded Honor Graduate from the Security Police Academy. He went on to serve in the Air Force SAC-91^st Combat Support Group/ 91^st MSS from 1975-1979 and continued his service in the Army National Guard’s 191^st MPs (1979-1980).

Jerry married Debra “Debbie” Arnson in 1981 in Williston. They were blessed with three children, Michelle, Wendy, and Austin. Jerry started a job with National Oil Well in 1989, which relocated the family to Cortez, CO. They were transferred back to North Dakota in 1990 where they have made their home in Dickinson since. Jerry worked various jobs in his life. Some of his most memorable were working as a Deputy Sheriff for Wiliams County Sheriff’s Department, the oil fields, National Park Service at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and was most recently employed at BNSF Railway. He worked in the Engineering/Track Department and was a BMWD Safety Assistant until his retirement in 2018 after 27 years of service.

Jerry enjoyed fishing, collecting and restoring various items including gas pumps, old toys, and pedal cars. He was also a skilled wood and leather worker, a master of studying family history, and he loved going to Corvette Rally’s. Jerry never met a stranger and found value in getting to know everyone he met. He took pride in teaching his children his various skills, talents, and love for a handmade project. His gifts were thoughtful and masterfully crafted from either wood, leather, a restored collector’s item or antiques.  Jerry was a member of the American Legion, a union member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, and Track Department of the Teamsters.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years Debbie of Dickinson; daughters, Michelle (Doug) Michaels of Westminster, MD, Wendy Vance of Bismarck, ND; son, Austin (fiancé Chantel Pokorny) Vance of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Ethan, Tristan, Bryan, Arabella, Ryan, and Bodhi; brothers, Lavern (Julianna) Vance of Ray, Meryl (Donna) Vance of Big Arm, MT; sister, Bonnie (Kalil) Barkie of Polson, MT; sister-in laws, Esther Vance, Sandy Vance (Lyle Sevre), numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Dennis and Neoma Vance; brothers, Jerome, Dale, and Daryl Vance.