George Gerald “Jerry” Huchendorf, 88, of Reedsport passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017. He was born on May 29, 1929 in Brookings, SD to George and Grace Huchendorf; he was the oldest of five children. When he was three years old, twin girls joined the family and he was, as he used to tell it, “orphaned”, a set of cute twins got all the attention. He also had a brother Ronald and another sister Bonnie. Jerry graduated from Brookings High School in 1947 and moved with his family to Rapid City, SD. He worked as an apprentice carpenter until 1949, when he joined the US Navy and served four years as a builder with the Sea Bees in Adak, Korea, and Guam.

In 1952 he married Eunice Root. They were married for 47 years and raised three children; Bruce, Jeffrey and Diane. After leaving the service, he continued as a builder for three years.  He then moved to Rio Dell, CA hung up his hammer, and operated a hamburger business called the “The Nutshell” for over twenty years. After moving to McMinnville OR, he continued as a builder for nearly 20 years then retired and moved to Lakeside.

Eunice passed away in 1999, and on February 25, 2001 he married Irma Sanborn. He enjoyed wood carving, hunting, fishing, family time, reading, puttering in the garage and he was also active in his church.

Jerry is survived by his wife Irma; three children from his first marriage; Bruce and his wife Rita, Diane and Jeffrey, along with two stepdaughters; Terry Green, Karen Karner, and her husband Carl. 

He also has two surviving sisters, Joan Snyder and June Jolley. He is further survived by three grandchildren; Melissa, Jason, and Sarah; two step grand children, four great grand children, and 14 nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife Eunice, his parents, his brother Ronald, and his sister Bonnie.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Reedsport. A reception will follow at the church.

Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Dunes Memorial Chapel.

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