Jerome Meidinger, 79, of Strasburg, ND passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, ND, after a two-week illness.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2021 with prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Linton, ND with Pastor Marlin Sapp leading the prayer service.

Burial will take place at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Jerome was born in McIntosh County to Calvin and Frieda Meidinger November 25th, 1941. Being the only boy and middle of the pack of eight children made for some interesting situations as his sisters will gladly share stories about. Jerome spent the better part of his teenage years working for area farmers, building overpasses with his brother in law, truck driving, and nearly any other job that came along making him a true jack of all trades. His strong work ethic ensured he never went without a job and his resolution ensured he be the best at whatever he did.

He married Ilene Krueger on July 21st, 1963 until her untimely passing in 1969. He then met and married Ann Polhammer on January 29th, 1972. born to them were Mark Glenn Meidinger on July 27th, 1972 and Jaime Lynn Meidinger on December 12th, 1977.  He moved his family to Strasburg North Dakota in 1983 where he bought Charlie's Bar from the Keller family. soon he moved on to the lumber yard and on to the Farmer's Elevator where he worked on the grain side and became everybody's favorite propane man. Never afraid of the weather, he was on his way to help his customers at any time of day sometimes even spending the night at a grateful farmers' house during a blizzard. He never really retired as even after retiring he helped the elevator out whenever they needed a hand as well as drove truck and equipment for Missouri Seed Farm during spring planting and potato harvest.

Jerome led a colorful and interesting life full of stories, but he was most proud of his time in the service. He signed up when his country called for help of its young and brave men. He volunteered to man the guns on the helicopters in Vietnam and routinely volunteered for missions where the possibility of not returning were high. While talking about his experiences were tough early on, later, in life he regaled his children with amusing stories about life in the barracks and shared his firsthand accounts of what the war was like for a farm kid from North Dakota. He admitted it changed him for the better and wouldn't have changed his experiences for anything.

Jerome loved the outdoors; he loved to fish and go bird hunt with anybody who would go. During pheasant season the gun never left the truck and he would often go out with his son, nephews, or his good friends Kenny, Al, and Charley. A huge fan of Nascar and the Vikings, Sundays were reserved for his football and races. His relationship with his grandchildren was a special one. Near and far he cheered them on and was proud of them all in the way that grandpas are.

Jerome is survived by his two sons and one daughter, Mark (Amanda) Meidinger of Lamoure ND, Steve (Ronda) Feist of Sioux Falls SD, and Jaime (Jason) Larson of LaMoure ND. His grandchildren, Nick, twins Ariel and Alyssa, Sophie and young JD. Trisha, Jacey, Madelyn, Wyatt and Karyssa, Nikole and Ozzy. Sisters Arlia Wiest, Ardella (Rodney) Buchholz, Carol Kessler, Joyce Finck, Janice Willis and Judy Wilson. As well as many nieces and nephews that were all so special to him.

Preceding Jerome in death was his parents, Calvin and Frieda Meidinger, first wife Ilene, Sister Mavis Waelhof, brother in laws Julius Waelhof, Darold Finck, Jay Willis, Gene Kessler, Gene Wilson, and Herb Wiest.