Jerilyn "Jeri" Funk

On August 10, 2026, God gained a beautiful addition to his eternal garden with the passing of Jerilyn Funk, with her husband by her side.

Jeri was born on August 27, 1943, to Lamar (Bud) and Cleo Leonhardt. She graduated from Sutherland High School in 1962 and graduated from the North Platte Beauty Academy in December of 1962. She married the love of her life, Gary Funk, on June 22, 1963. They celebrated their 63rd Wedding anniversary this summer. Jeri worked as a cosmetologist for many years and then later worked for ESU 16 in North Platte at the Lake school.

Jeri had a love for anything that grew. She was a member of the garden club in Sutherland for many years. She always had beautiful flowers in her yard and planted a big garden every year. But her true love was her family. Her family was her heart and her proudest achievement.

She was always there for her children when they needed her. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life and her greatest joy.

Throughout her battle with cancer, she maintained a positive, kind attitude, complementing nurses and aides handling every adversity with grace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleo and Bud Leonhardt; sister, Sharon Beisner; brother-in-laws, Ron Beisner Sr., Don Funk, Keith Funk, and Charles Funk; grandchildren, Barrett Funk and Isabella Buscher.

She is survived by her husband, Gary; brothers, Doug (Debbie) Leonhardt of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Don (Tammy) Leonhardt of Azul, Texas; brother-in-laws, Bob Funk of Kearney, NE, and Edward Funk of Kansas City, Missouri; daughters, Shelly (Martin) Fischer of Sutherland, Brandy (Brian) Buscher of Sutherland; and sons, Cory Funk of Sutherland and Charles (Jennifer Kelly) of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Grandchildren, Abbie Ellermeier, Alex Ellermeier, Joseph (Tuesday) Fischer, Nikki (Jacob) Leslie, Jack Buscher, Max Buscher, Gage Buscher, Kody (Peri) Funk, Ryan (Chevy) Funk, Jeremy Funk, Ethan Funk, and Caleb Funk.

Great grandchildren, Myles Leslie, Ryder Funk, Farrah Funk, Milahni Funk, and Mardell Funk.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends.

Services for Jeri will be on Thursday, August 20th, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland, Nebraska, followed by inurnment at Sutherland Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Sutherland Youth program.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Odean Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.