Jerold Wayne “Jerry” Seele, 69, of Baldwin City, Kansas, died peacefully on July 23, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry was born on May 18, 1954, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Harold and Virgie Mae (Anderson) Seele. He was raised on the farm, which has been in the family over 125 years, in rural Baldwin City. He helped his father, grandfather, neighbors, and friends with farming, raising livestock, baling hay, and chores. Growing up, he was active in 4-H, school sports, and many clubs.
Upon graduating from Baldwin High School in 1972, he spent his time driving trucks, heavy equipment, and having fun.
Jerry met the love of his life, Janet Haskins in 1979. He wooed her with his dance moves, outgoing personality, big opinions, and his dedication. They were united in marriage on July 11, 1981, in Osage City, Kansas. They celebrated 42 loving years together and were truly best friends until the end. They were blessed with two children, Kristin and Jerod.
Jerry dedicated decades to working with local farmers at Co-ops including Overbook, Burlingame, Edgerton, and Miami County. In his later years, he served as a truck driver for his friend R.D. Johnson. Jerry cared deeply about his community and served on the board at Tauy Creek Water Shed.
Jerry enjoyed getting together with his coffee gang and his close network of friends, many of whom he grew up with. While these friends were like family to him, nothing could replace his greatest love, his family. Jerry was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
“The Big Guy” was tough stuff. He fought a hard battle with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemea, a blood cancer that he was diagnosed with in 2010. The last chemotherapy drug warned of the harm to the kidneys, and he courageously endured End Stage Renal Disease and dialysis for the last six years.
Jerry and his family are grateful for the excellent care he received all these years from the doctors, nurses, and staff at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Oncology, St. Francis, KU Medical Center, and DaVita Dialysis Clinic.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Janet Seele; daughter, Kristin (Nick) Seele Amburgey; son, Jerod Seele; the apple of his eye, grandson, Thoren Wayne Amburgey, all of Baldwin City; brother, Danny (Anna) Seele, Burlingame; mother-in-law, Darlene Haskins, Osage City; brother-in-law, David (Barb) Haskins, Osage City; sisters-in-law, Linda (Mike) Vandevord, Scranton and Vicki (Matt) Lozenski, Leavenworth; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Seele and Virgie Mae Seastrom; half-sister, Beatrice Brown; father-in-law, Jack Haskins; and grandparents, Henry and Hulda Seele.
A Celebration of Jerry’s life will be Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 4-7 pm, held at the Baldwin City Beer Company, 520 High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the cause closest to his heart, his grandson Thoren Amburgey’s education fund. Memorial contributions may be dropped off or mailed to Edward Jones, 723 Eighth Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006.
