Jerome "Jerry" Sather

Jerome “Jerry” George Sather passed away on August 15, 2025, in his home surrounded by loved ones after a 10month battle with ALS.

Jerry was born on May 18, 1964, to Marian and Gordon Sather in Northwood ND. Jerry was raised in Grand Forks and the surrounding small towns, living his adult life in Grand Forks, ND.

He attended South High School in Grand Forks where he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart Barb Johnson. Together they had 3 children, Michael James, Abigail Jean and Jeri Lyn. When their union ended, he remained close friends with Barb and her family, and he always considered Barbs’ mom Gale as his second mom. He remained part of their family, and he loved all of them very much.

Jerry loved to dance and in 2004 he met the love of his life, Marie (Fincher) Wylie on the dance floor. They were inseparable from that moment. They remained together for over 21 years through good times and bad, but always together. He nicknamed Marie “Babes”, and everyone joined in with that name.

As a small boy staying with his grandparents in Kempton ND, Jerry was always taking things apart and putting them back together (sometimes with parts left over) but he learned to fix anything and kept himself busy working on his motorcycles, snowcats, cars, refinishing furniture, or finishing carpentry. He never came across anything that he couldn’t fix even if it meant he spent many hours figuring it out.

Jerry started working at 15 years old and held several different jobs, most recently at RETRAX; until back issues caused him to have to retire. Jerry was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in November last year after several months of doctoring. He started doing speech and occupational therapy and developed close bonds with the therapists. He definitely showed them a rough sense of humor that they didn’t see coming. He loved his visits, and the girls were so kind to him.

Jerry was a diamond in the rough and was loved by almost everyone that knew him. Always willing to lend a helping hand any way that he could and was often pulling pranks and being an all-around jokester. He loved to make people smile and laugh, but even more than that he loved to help. His loss will be felt throughout the Grand Forks community, and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by Marie; his daughters Abby Sather, and Jeri (Nick) Resser; two sisters: Janey (Still) Braida, and Jennifer (McCoy) Vogsland; 8 grandchildren; his Aunt Suzie (Still) Myron; several cousins as well as many nieces and nephews and his special neighbor, Myrna.

He is preceded in death by his son Michael James, his grandparents and his parents.

A  family led Celebration of Life will be held for Jerry on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM at the American Legion in East Grand Forks. This will include a time of sharing memories of Jerry and a simple lunch.