Gerald "Jerry" C. Pickert

Gerald "Jerry" Christopher Pickert, age 91, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and children on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Jerry was born on April 16, 1935, in a house along Highway 59 near Scipio, Kansas. He was the third of six children born to Frederick John Pickert and Hilda Helen (Hermreck) Pickert. Raised with a strong work ethic, deep faith, and a signature sense of humor, Jerry loved to joke about his early years, claiming he didn't remember his earliest days "because I was very young when I was born."

Growing up in Anderson County, Jerry's early education was classic country schooling. He attended Brea for a brief time before moving to "West Scipio"-a one-room schoolhouse on the highway with 17 students across eight grades-and later "East Scipio," the three-room rock schoolhouse down the road from St. Boniface Church. Naturally, he made sure his family knew he walked to and from school "uphill both ways." Jerry graduated 8th grade in 1948 and went on to graduate from Garnett High School in 1953, where he played football, basketball, track, and was an active member of FFA.

Jerry's youth was defined by family, hard work, and small-town grit. In 1948, he and his brother Kenneth helped their father, a local carpenter and farmer, build the family's first home with running water-mixing plaster outside and hauling it in. He spent his youth driving horse teams in the hay fields, fishing on Sundays, and sharing a single post-war bicycle with his siblings. Faith and quick thinking were instilled early: as a boy, Jerry saved a drowning friend by spotting bubbles in the water, pulling him up by his hair, and praying alongside his friends until the boy was revived.

Following high school, Jerry's adventurous spirit took him to Wyoming on a bus ticket under the guise of working harvest. After hitchhiking and using his last few dollars for a motel room, he took a job building fences for a herd of buffalo-living in a tent and eating fresh antelope-before working on a ranch in Sharon, Wyoming.

When word reached him in late 1953 that his friends were entering the draft, Jerry returned home to serve his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 2, 1954, completing basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and specialized teletype repair training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, before serving at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was honorably discharged on February 1, 1956.

After his military service, Jerry drove a dump truck for a Topeka rock crusher before embarking on a long, distinguished career with Western Union. Starting at $1.80 an hour, his expertise in teletype machines, office equipment, and microwave communications (honed at school in Chattanooga, Tennessee) took him across the region. He spent years behind the scenes ensuring seamless transmissions during presidential campaigns, K-State football games, and high-profile news conferences.

While working in Wichita, weekend trips back home led him to the love of his life, Carol Janet Feuerborn. The two were united in marriage on August 1, 1960. Early in their marriage, they traveled the country for Western Union, living out of hotels, before ultimately settling in Paxico, Kansas, and opening up Paxico Insurance. Together, Jerry and Carol built a faith-filled home, rooted in their Catholic values. Jerry was a faithful member of St. Therese and then St. Boniface Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He cherished his close-knit community of good friends.

In 1978, Jerry and Carol made the meaningful decision to move their family to Richmond, Kansas, to be near their aging parents. Settling into the community, Jerry established Hometown Insurance, serving as a trusted local agent before expanding his career as a stockbroker with Pickert Financial Services. Later, he joined forces with Carol in real estate-a partnership where Jerry happily acknowledged Carol was the true force in charge. Together, they built a life defined by family, hard work, and dedicated service to their neighbors.

Above all, Jerry was devoted to his family. He is remembered for his storytelling, his quiet strength, and the legacy of hard work he passed down to generations.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Hilda Pickert; his brother, Kenneth; and three sisters, Rosalie Waner, Elaine Kruse, and Betty McArdle.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Carol Janet Pickert; their 9 children: Ron Pickert and wife Misty, Cindy Pickert, Lisa Adkinson and husband Bud, Denise Adkinson, Amy Pickert-Schooler and husband Rich, Stacey Pickert, Jason Pickert and wife Chasi, Stephanie Jumet and husband John, and Erica Burroughs and husband Ryan; 21 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren (and counting); his brother, Leon Pickert and wife Lynn; as well as a large extended family and countless dear friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 28, 2026, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Scipio, Kansas. Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery. A Rosary will be held at 6:00 PM, followed by visitation on Thursday evening at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church and left in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.