Jerome "Jere" Ohme

JEROME 'JERE' DEAN OHME was born on August 13, 1946 to Willard and Velva (Cook) Ohme in Slayton, Minnesota. He attended Slayton schools and graduated from Slayton High School in 1964. He then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. He accepted a position in the Luverne public schools as an elementary physical education teacher. In June of 1969, Jere was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in March 1971. He then returned to Luverne. On December 21, 1971, Jere married Julie Dexter at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, and subsequently made their home in Luverne. To that union was born Jackie in 1974 and Derek in 1978. In 1975, Jere was elected Rock County Recorder and held that position for 29 years. That same year he also acquired Rock County Abstract and Title. During that time, he served as secretary of the Minnesota County Recorders in 1977 and served as its president in 1979. In 1994, he was the honored recipient of the Recorder of the Year in the State of Minnesota.

In July of 1981, Julie was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and passed away on August 18, 1983. On July 26, 1985, Jere married Suanne (Hoiland) Gabrielson at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where they raised their five children. Jere owned and operated the abstract and title business until his retirement in 2012.

On Thursday, May 3, 2018, Jere passed away at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage surrounded by his family at the age of 71 years, eight months and 20 days.

Jere was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where he served on the church council including a term as president. Jere was an avid sports fan and followed all Minnesota sports teams. He officiated football and basketball in the area for 43 years. Jere enjoyed hunting, golfing, baseball, attending grandchildren's activities and wintering in Sarasota, Florida.

Jere is lovingly remembered by his wife, Suanne; five children, Jackie (Tory) Payne, Derek (Leah) Ohme, both of Sioux Falls, SD; Kirsten (Damon) Eisma of Luverne, MN; Amanda Gabrielson of Minneapolis, MN, and John (Mollie) Gabrielson of Rapid City, SD; 15 grandchildren, Dexter, Mason, Jaden and Rylan Payne; Julia and Hadley Ohme; Katrina, Sophia, Timothy, Philip and Sylvia Eisma; Alex Vollmer and Anders Aandahl; Ainsley Gabrielson and Aspen Silver; and three siblings, Dan (Sheryle) Ohme of Minneapolis, MN; Kevin (Jodi White) Ohme of Tracy, MN, and Stacy (Lisa) Ohme of Mankato, MN; many nieces and nephews and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie; and his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, the Luverne Baseball Association or Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.