The memorial service for Jacklyn ‘Jacky’ Gerhardt-Fortin, 32, of Brentford, SD, will be 10:30am, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, with Pastor Micah Westby officiating. Jacklyn died in a car accident on Tuesday, October 18, near Wallace, SD.

   Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00pm, with family present from 5:00-7:00pm, Tuesday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street.

   Jacklyn Ann Gerhardt was born March 29, 1990, to Gary and Marilyn (Dillman) Gerhardt in Champaign, IL. She grew up in Sidney, IL, and graduated from Unity High School in Tolono, IL. After high school, Jacky married Blake Fortin on July 30, 2011, in Philo, IL. Two boys were born to this union, Cooper and Bennett. The couple made their home in Brentford, SD, Jacky attended Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown where she received her degree in occupational therapy. Jacky worked at Sanford Hospital and Prairie Heights Nursing Home in Aberdeen. She then started her own home health care business. Jacky loved working with the elderly and was certified in dementia care.

   Jacky liked classic cars and always wanted a Woody station wagon. She enjoyed sewing and made wonderful blankets. Taking care of the flowers at their house and decorating brought her great joy. She enjoyed sports and played both softball and baseball in high school. Jacky was an avid Illinois Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan. Jacky was active in her community and was instrumental in getting the park in Brentford done. She was very outgoing, loved being around people and always saw the good in others. She also loved her dog. Family was very important to Jacky. She enjoyed traveling and they took many trips to see her family.

   Grateful for having shared Jacky’s life are her husband: Blake Fortin; two sons: Cooper and Bennett; her parents: Marilyn and Gary Gerhardt of Sidney, IL; grandmother: Geraldine Gerhardt, Evansville, IN; her sisters: Katherine Gerhardt, St. Louis, MO, and Mary (Shawn) McGarigle, Homer, IL; an uncle: Ron (Denise) Gerhardt, Evansville, IN; two aunts: Marsha Slack, Gibson City, IL, and Sara Gerhardt, Evansville, IN; her nephews: Tucker and Garrison McGarigle; parents-in-law: Marion and Mary Fortin, Brentford, SD; brother and sister-in-law: Brent and Amber Fortin; and niece and nephew Shelbey and Gus.

   Preceding Jacky in death was her grandfather, Robert Gerhardt.

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