Jerry Maxner was not a true Cowboy by definition, but he surely did love, respect and admire the Cowboy lifestyle, values and code of conduct. Jerry was born on June 12, 1941, in New England, North Dakota and passed on April 14, 2024. He eventually moved as a teenager with his family to Rapid City, South Dakota where he was a standout basketball player for Cathedral High School. He went on to play basketball for Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD where he met and married Inez Williamson (American Horse Maxner) and two children were born out of that union: David Maxner and Daniel Maxner. Jerry moved his family to Southern California in 1966 where he spent the next 30 years. During that time, he worked for McDonell Douglas, Max Factor and eventually Harbor Distributing. While still in California, Jerry divorced and eventually met and married Judy Ryan (aka Ryan). Jerry and Ryan were both very accomplished country music dancers and had met out one night at a local “Honky Tonk”. They loved going to rodeos and concerts and they owned and managed their own country western honky tonk for a few years in Palm Desert, CA called the “Cactus Corral”. Eventually Jerry and Ryan moved to the front range area of Colorado and settled in Berthoud where they established and managed another little country western venue in Loveland called “Ragin Ryan’s”.
Jerry was affectionately known as Jerr, Jerry D, uncle Jerr, Jerr Bear, Max, grandpa, brother and dad (among others I’m sure). He was well liked and easy to talk to. Jerry had a kind, easy-going, fun-loving personality. He always greeted you with his beautiful smile and was also known for his magnificent and well-groomed mustache. Jerry loved spending time outdoors camping and fishing and was an avid hunter. He especially loved going pheasant hunting with family and friends at the (Maxner/Wandler) family homestead in Slope County near his birthplace of New England, ND. The annual October weekend trip was something he would look forward to all year long and would love to reminisce and listen to the stories they would all tell around the dinner table. Jerry would also look forward to an annual Father’s Day camping trip at Keyhole reservoir with his son’s and grandkids. Jerry had a love of classic cars since he co-owned a 56 Chevy with his mother in 1959. He regretted selling the car when he moved to CA in 1966. Then in 2000 after moving to CO he was able to purchase another 1956 Chevy Bel Air and he would love taking the car to Cool Deadwood Nights and car shows in their hometown of Berthoud and the surrounding areas. Occasionally, you might get to hear one of Jerr’s famous whistles to get yours or someone else’s attention or maybe one of his turkey or peacock calls that he was so good at! Jerry continued dancing at the local Canyon Lake senior center with his friend, Linda up until weeks before his passing.
Jerry Maxner was preceded in death by his father, Vandeline Maxner; mother, Luella (Ott) Maxner; wife, Ryan Maxner; sister, Sharon Williamson; and nephew, Ivan Maxner. Jerry is survived by his sons, David (Traci) Maxner and Daniel Maxner; brother, Jim (Teri Eno) Maxner; stepdaughter, Tana Ryan; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was a one of a kind! You will be greatly missed by all! Godspeed!
