Jerry Jerold Garten

Jerry Jerold Garten was born November 12, 1950, in Dodge City, KS to John and Dorothy (Obenchain) and passed away on August 5^th, 2026, in Wichita.

Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.

His early years were spent on a ranch around the Ashland area where his dad, John, was the foreman. In 1952, Jerry earned the title of big brother, when his sister, Karen was born. While on the ranch, he developed an early love for working with livestock and of riding.  Jerry’s dad passed away when Jerry was 17 and then the family moved to Ashland.

As he received his primary education, it became much more tolerable when reaching high school and he was able to play basketball.  He followed this passion of basketball to junior college, but an ankle injury ended his basketball career.  This injury led him to continue to develop his skills in team roping, bulldogging and saddle bronc riding while attempting a few other rodeo activities.

As he followed his passion of working with livestock, it led him to Syracuse, Kansas in 1974.  While in Syracuse, he met his future bride, Janice Grilliot.  Jerry and Janice were wed on January 21^st, 1975.  Their son, John Stanley, was born on July 27^, 1976.

With a family to support, Jerry worked in feedlots, which greatly deepened his skills with riding and roping.  He utilized these skills as Janice and Jerry entered team roping events and entered various competitions that won saddles and other recognitions.

When the decision was made to spend less time on horseback, Jerry and Janice moved into Liberal, Kansas.  In Liberal, Jerry was a small business owner of Garten’s Boot and Saddle Repair.  Jerry and Janice gave back to the community through being volunteer firefighters for over 10 years.  A large part of Jerry’s life was devoted to the Catholic Church, where he helped teach RCIA and was very active in the Knights of Columbus.

In 2003, Jerry earned a new title of grandpa when Lucas Scott was born.  Three years later, in 2006, his joy doubled with the birth of his second grandson, Jefferson Stanley.  While Jerry mastered the joys of having grandsons, two days before his 59^th birthday in 2009, his first granddaughter, Rachel Suzanne was born.  In 2012, the family was completed with birth of Laura Shalyn.  Over the years, Jerry has shared his hobbies of hunting, fishing, music, and horses with each of his grandchildren and they will carry on his legacy.

As John and Shannon continued to welcome children, Jerry and Janice made the move to Wichita in 2008 to be closer.  Jerry drove a truck for Klassen Trucking until his retirement.  Jerry and Janice have been active parishioners at St. Jude Catholic Church.  Jerry has led the 4:30 rosary for many years.  With the strong example of his Catholic faith, it will continue through the next generations.

Jerry was proceeded in death by his father, John, mother, Dorothy and her husband, Joe, father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Beulah Grilliot, brothers-in-law Charles Dunn and Dave Larson.

Jerry will be missed greatly by his survivors – his wife of 51 years – Janice, his son – John (Shannon), grandchildren Lucas, Jefferson, Rachel and Laura, sister Karen Dunn, In-laws – Therese (Sonny) Blyn, David (Dora) Grilliot, Ellen Larson, Danny (Nancy) Grilliot, 16 nieces and nephews, 33 great nieces and nephews and numerous close friends founded through his various passions.

Viewing will be 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Rosary will be 10:00 am, Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am, both on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Jude Catholic Church with burial to follow at Valley Center Cemetery, Valley Center, Kansas.

Memorials have been established with: St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 North Amidon, Wichita, Kansas 67204 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.