Geraldine Marie “Gerry” Nussbaum was born October 31, 1940 in Newcastle, Wyoming. She was the daughter of Albert and Robbie (Robison) Nussbaum. Gerry grew up on the family ranch located between Newcastle and Sundance and she graduated from Upton High School in 1958. During her high school years, she was an avid barrel racer and always was competitive on the rodeo circuit. Following high school, she attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie for 2 years. On May 14, 1960 Gerry was united in marriage to Jerry Heinbaugh in Belle Fourche. To this union was born 3 children: Richard Lee, Mark Leslie, and Debra Sue.
Following their marriage, Gerry and Jerry lived north of Belle Fourche on the Heinbaugh Family Sheep Ranch. In 1975, Gerry moved into Belle Fourche with the children so that they could attend school. She worked for several years at the Hodge Bootery and in 1980 she began working at Bennett, Main and Gubbrud Law. For 35 years she was their Legal Secretary, retiring in 2015.
In her younger years, Gerry was an active member of the Gumbo Gals as well as the SD Sheepgrowers Ass’n. She was an avid golfer for many years, and was a past Secretary of the Belle Fourche Country Club. Many memories were made traveling to the area gold tournaments with friends, and it was a fun memory the year Gerry and her daughter won the women’s championship in Belle Fourche. Gerry had a wonderful sense of humor; she loved to laugh; and she was a fun person to be around. She loved her job and was dedicated to it. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and the type of grandmother whose pride ran deep for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Looking at pictures of them all brought her great joy. Gerry’s dog, named “Bodie”, was a special companion to her.
Gerry went home to heaven on Saturday, October 5, 2024. She was 84 years old, and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Jerry of Belle Fourche; sons, Richard of Belle Fourche and Mark of Glenwood Springs, CO; daughter, Deb (Tod) Torgerson of Edmond, OK; 4 grandchildren, Shawna, Kassandra, Karlee Jo, and Logan Tod; and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Bill (JoAnn) Nussbaum of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Patsy Heil.
The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Friday, October 11, 2024 at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, with Pastor Tim Smith officaiting. Visitation will be held 5 to 7pm Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Pine Slope Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse to help with the hurricane relief. Friends may view and a video tribute, as well as the funeral service, online by going to Gerry’s obituary page, located on the funeral home’s website: www.LeveringtonFH.com
