Jerome Leo Hemerick, 93, formerly of Silver Lake passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson.
 He was born on March 16, 1932, in Hale Township, McLeod County, the son of Leo and Johanna “Jane” (Blazinski) Hemerick.
 He graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1950.
 Jerome honorably served in the United States Navy from 1951 – 1955. He was extremely proud of his military service.
 On October 22, 1957, Jerome Hemerick and Elaine Penas were joined in Holy Marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Silver Lake.
 They started a family in New Hope, where he also co-owned Pure Oil Station. In 1961, Jerome and Elaine purchased a farm in Hale Township and returned to the Silver Lake area.
 He loved spending time with his family and he was very proud of his farm. Besides farming, Jerome enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, gardening and bird watching. He was a great storyteller, and he loved country music. In retirement, Jerome and Elaine spent much time traveling across the U.S. and Canada.
 Jerome was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake and served many years as an usher. He belonged to The Silver Lake American Legion and to The Knights of Columbus.
 Survived by his loving wife of 67 years: Elaine Hemerick; children: Mark (Karina) Hemerick of Hutchinson, Mary (Thomas) Bready of Bloomington, Ill., and James (Andreia) Hemerick of Brooklyn Park; six grandchildren: Natalie (Trevor) Stevens and Emily Bready; Marianna Hemerick and Caio Hemerick; Giovana Hemerick and Lucca Hemerick; in-laws: LaVerna Hemerick, Val Shamla, Judy Penas and Ron Penas; other relatives and friends.
 Preceded in death by a daughter Nancy Hemerick, his parents, siblings Gordon Hemerick, Rose Ann (Philip) Fiecke and David (Rose) Hemerick, in-laws Jean Penas, Robert Shamla and LeRoy Penas.
 A Mass of Christian Burial for Jerome Hemerick will be held on Thursday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake. Father Matthew Wiering will be the celebrant.
 Gift Bearers are Giovana Hemerick, Emily Bready and Marianna Hemerick. Reader was Bruce Shamla.
 Interment with military rites Holy Family Cemetery in Silver Lake.
 A visitation will be held AT THE CHURCH Thursday, June 19 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited AT THE CHURCH on Thursday morning, June 19 at 9 a.m.
 Casket Bearers are Caio Hemerick, Lucca Hemerick, Gerald Hemerick, Michael Penas, Robert Penas and Bradley Shamla.
 The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.mareshfuneralhome.com.