Gerald "Jerry" Henry Brusewitz

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gerald "Jerry" Henry Brusewitz announce his passing on December 30, 2024 at the age of 82. Despite an extended battle with a debilitating disease, his final moments were peaceful, surrounded by family and love. In his final days, he was still making jokes and connecting with loved ones. Services will take place at Stillwater United Methodist Church at a later date.

Jerry was born on June 1, 1942 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Henry and Wardeen Brusewitz. He was raised on his parents' dairy farm in Black Creek, Wisconsin and attended Seymour High School graduating in 1960. During that time, he played varsity basketball and was in the first testing group of the ACT Exam for college admissions and later became a "poster boy" for ACT success stories. Jerry went on to earn his BS in Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering and his MS in Agricultural Engineering all from University of Wisconsin. He, then, continued his education at Michigan State University earning a PhD in Agricultural Engineering.

In 1969 Jerry moved to Stillwater with his first wife, Susan Gayle Brusewitz where they had two children: Kelly and Nicole. They later divorced. As a father, Jerry was "the fun dad" who put family first and always found ways to entertain and find common interests with his daughters. He even had a motorcycle for a short period of time. Jerry then married Glenna Sue Williams in 1990. Glenna's love for the Southwest led to many vacations spent in Taos, New Mexico.

Jerry's professional career started and ended at Oklahoma State University as he moved from Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineering in August 1969, to Professor to Regents Professor, retiring in 2002. He truly enjoyed teaching and getting to know his students. In fact, he was known to invite his international students to his home to spend holiday dinners. While an OSU faculty member he received awards including Outstanding Faculty in the College of Agriculture (1994), Outstanding Faculty in the College of Engineering (1991), and was elected Fellow in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (1990). Sabbatical leaves included University of California, Davis; Cornell University; Dominica and Kuwait Institute for Science Research.

In retirement, Jerry enjoyed being a part of the Stillwater community in a variety of roles. He volunteered at Stillwater Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and was one of the founders of the Stillwater Restore in 2002. He also volunteered for Elite Repeat which gave him great joy. He was active in First United Methodist Church, contributing in numerous ways over the years including the Singles Group Chairman throughout much of the 1980s and the Homeowners Assistance Team in the 1990s. He loved working in his yard, talking to neighbors and friends, watching OSU sporting events, and visiting his children and grandchildren in Colorado to whom he was extremely dedicated. He also enjoyed physical activities including bicycling, racquetball, hiking and occasional golf.

Jerry is survived by his wife Glenna Sue Williams, children Kelly Yazzie of Florida & Nicole Brusewitz of Colorado, grandchildren Sudden Sage Yazzie, Jackson True Smith and Ilana Katherine Smith all of Colorado, his niece, Aidan Brusewitz of Minnesota, and his younger brother David Brusewitz of Wisconsin. He is preceded in death by his parents Wardeen and Henry Brusewitz.