Jerry was born May 25, 1951 in Grafton, ND, the son of the late Leo and Dorothy (Jonasson) Lykken. He grew up and attended school in Milton, graduating from Milton High School in 1969. He then attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton graduating in 1971 with a degree in Auto Mechanics. He was united in marriage to Lois Moen on June 26, 1971 at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmore, ND. The couple made their home in Grand Forks and Cavalier before moving to Milton in 1976. He was employed by John Deere, Arctic Cat, and Mayo Construction. In 1976 he started farming with his dad and brother, retiring in 2021. The couple also owned and operated The North Forty Bar in Milton from 1991-2010.
He was a member of the Milton Lutheran Church, the Milton American Legion Post #179, the Mason Lodge #48, the 49ers, and the Royal Order of Jesters. He enjoyed golfing, racing, showing his cars in car shows, and driving his John Deere golf cart at their winter home in Arizona.
Jerry is survived by his wife Lois, Milton, ND; children: Tammy (Mark) Close, Michelle (Jarrett) Moline and Jeff (Sara) Lykken, all of Langdon, ND; 9 grandchildren: Preston (Mackenzie Krueger) and Lexi Close, Kylee (Chase Rohde), Chandler, AKA “Macgyver” (Megan Hiller), and Keaton Moline, 3 special grandchildren: Conner (Jordyn), Corissa and Carter Tetrault, and Maddyn Lykken, always Maddie to Grandpa; great grandchild Avery; sisters: Susan (Joe) Gratton, Langdon, ND and Pam Lykken, Osnabrock, ND; sister-in-law Linda (Dave) Knutson, Cando, ND; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Loren and Ernie.
Memorial services will be Friday, October 18, 2024 at 2:30 PM at the Milton Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Military Rites will be provided by the Milton American Legion Post #179 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. Inurnment will be at the Milton Memorial Cemetery.