"Jerry" Noe

Jerry Noe was born in Miller, South Dakota. While he later made his living in technology, his life began with little. On the farm he grew up on, horses were the preferred tractor. His initial education was in a one-room schoolhouse. Walking to it in the snow was a chore. It was the prairie, however, so uphill both directions wasn’t a part of the narrative. Farming wasn’t for Jerry, so he joined the Navy. He served 4 years of active duty and another 18 in the reserves. He worked on the A-3D Skywarrior and A-6 Intruder as an electronics mechanic in active duty and was a P-3 Orion aircrew as a Radio Operator for the Naval Reserves. At the end of his active-duty service, he and two Navy buddies started a two-way communication business called Wiztronics. Jerry and his business partner, Stan Bronisz, have been in business for 60 years in technology, a feat requiring constant reimagining. There wasn’t much Jerry wouldn’t tackle. If it required a new tool, he was willing to give it a try. He just needed the most powerful tool for the job he could find. He was a pilot and enjoyed flying “his” Cessna 172B, N8051X. He was trustworthy – honest to a fault. He loved telling stories and hoped they made others smile and laugh. He had broad shoulders and gave the best hugs. The recipient’s feet often came off the ground. Jerry is survived by his partner of nearly 20 years, Claire Mintier. They connected on a trip to China, and Jerry liked to say she “Shanghaied” him. Even though he didn’t think he was ready for a partner, he found one. They made each other laugh. Jerry had previously lost his wife of 35 years, Ruth. Ruth had early onset Alzheimers’. Jerry took care of her in her final years. Jerry is survived by his children, Leja and Bryan Noe (wife Margot); his granddaughter Cameron Noe; and Claire’s children, Curt Wikstrom (wife Cyndi) and Greg Wikstrom (wife Laura). He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Eloise (Stadstad) Noe; parents, Roy and Ruth (Whites) Noe; sisters Doris Rubendall, Donna June Olson, Evelyn Thompson, and Shirley Pullman. Jerry wouldn’t want memorials. In his honor, take your friends and family out to dinner on Friday. Extra credit if you go to Costco first and eat before 4 PM.

"Jerry" Noe

June 28, 1945 - April 27, 2026