Jerry Don Podschun was born May 15, 1936, in Argonia, Kansas, the son of Adam and Elsie (Mark) Podschun. He attended several Harper County grade schools, before graduating from Hazelton High School in 1954. While attending Hazelton High he met Clara May Rucker, the superintendent's daughter. He always teased the only reason he received his diploma was because he was dating the superintendent's daughter.

After graduating Jerry moved to Wichita and worked in a car dealership as a mechanic. Jerry and Clara married on December 17, 1955, in Kiowa, Kansas. They worked and lived at the Midway Station west of Anthony. Jerry ran the garage while Clara ran the grocery store.

Jerry was drafted into the Army on February 12, 1959, and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where their daughter Judy Kay was born, in 1960. After serving for two years in the Army, he signed up for three years with the National Guard and was honorably discharged on January 31, 1965.

After Fort Sill they moved back to Harper County, living in Freeport, Kansas until 1962. They moved southeast of Anthony, where their son Ricky Jay was born, a place they called home for the remainder of their lives together.

Jerry was a well-known mechanic, fixing cars, tractors, and anything in between. Over 20 years of his life he worked for Roach Chevrolet, Sturns Implement, later known as Bettis Jones and Stark, before becoming Conrady Implement.

In the early 1970s, the family purchased and moved onto 80 acres where Jerry began his life as a farmer. He approached CD Williams Jr to rent the land across the road. CD agreed on one condition that he worked as a mechanic for Williams Motor Company. Jerry accepted and thus began the start of building his own family farming operation. Jerry worked hard every day and never retired.

Jerry lived on those same 80 acres when he passed away on October 3, 2022, at Patterson Health Center at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Clara; daughter, Judy; and siblings: Velma, Melvin, Marvin, and Arthur.

Jerry will be deeply missed by his son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Val Podschun; his grandchildren; Adam Podschun and wife Virginia of Edmond, OK, Aaron Podschun and wife, Amy of West Des Moines, IA and Ashley Podschun of Dodge City, KS; great-grandchildren: Lendy, Landry, Lowery, Lucy, and Clara; special nephew and nieces: Danny Farmer and wife, Beth of Anthony, Lori Garrahan and husband, John of San Angelo, TX, Lauren Walker and husband, Bret of Anthony, Sarah Robertson and husband, Taylor of Cheney, Emily Holdt and husband, Derek of Harper, and Megan McCaslin and husband, Derek of Anthony; sister, Valdora Esparza and husband, Moise of Everrett, WA; sister-in-law, Mary Powell and husband, David of Tecumseh, KS; other relatives, many friends, and last but not least his pride and joy "Jack!"

Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.  Burial will follow in Forest Park Cemetery, Anthony.

Viewing will be held 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Jerry may be made to the Jerry Podschun Memorial Fund, in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.  The family was so grateful for all the wonderful care provided by the nurses at Patterson Health Center that they will be using these funds to purchase items off their wish list.