Jerry Gene Kenitzer

Jerry Gene Kenitzer, 87 passed away peacefully at home, Saturday, June 20, 2020 with his grandson Joshua, wife Patricia and his family in Clarkston, GA, who had been caring for him as he battled cancer and multiple other health issues. At the time of his passing he was surrounded with love.

He was born in Gillette, WY to Victor and Vera Kenitzer where he loved spending time with his grandparents. He was the oldest of six brothers and one sister. He spent most of his childhood between Gillette and Midwest, WY and attended school in Midwest from grade school through high school and graduated there in 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and was stationed in Erlangen, Germany where he met his wife Auguste (Christine) Kaiser of 39 years. They were married on April 20th, 1956 in Erlangen. Then he and his wife and young daughter (Simone) boarded the USNS Callan that was bound for the United States of America where he lived, prospered, and raised his family.

Through the years he and his wife embarked on a number of entrepreneurial endeavors including ranching, farming, owning and operating a family restaurant with motel and apartments and arcade along with a few fast food restaurants from Mountain View to Glenrock,WY as well as managing a large apartment complex franchise in southern California before retiring after his wife's death in 1993.

He is preceded in death by his wife Auguste (Christine) Margarete Franchezca (Kaiser) Kenitzer, parents Victor Harold and Vera Bernice (Percifield) Kenitzer, and 5 brothers: Larry Lee, Victor Edward, Michael Lynn, Danny Ray, and Ricky Dean Kenitzer and grandparents, Otto and Beryl Kenitzer.

He is survived by is sister Vicky Marie (Kenitzer) Hunt, his daughters: Simone Eva Ida Keevert [Owen] of Green River, WY, Angela Renee Clark [Bill] of West Plaines MO, and D'Anna Rae Smith [Randy] of Idaho City, ID along with 9 grandchildren:  Steve Gifford of Casper, WY, Jesse Caudle of Crawford CO, Ruth Amber Caudle of Roy, UT, Lucas Caudle of Broomfield, CO, Joshua Kenitzer of Clarkston, GA, Heidi (Findley) Duell of Boise, ID, Cassandra (Smith) Nickerson, David Smith, Christopher Smith all of Idaho City, ID as well as 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends - far too many to mention by name, but all equally loved.

Daddy, Brother, Grandpa and friend, Jerry Gene Kenitzer will be sorely missed by all. 

"Que sera sera" as Jerry was known for saying often.

... Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again -Unknown-

Memorial services planned for mid-June 2021 (due to Covid-19) date to be determined at later date.