Gerald "Jay" Hennies

Gerald L. “Jay” Hennies was born in Wagner, South Dakota, to Mary and Leland “Jack” Hennies. Jay was called home to be with the Lord on September 1, 2026.

Jay remained in Wagner until graduating from high school in 1961. He went on to attend the University of South Dakota, where he played four years of basketball and baseball and 1 year of football for the Coyotes.

In 1966, Jay married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Mary Lea Honke. Together, they shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. Jay began his lifelong career as an educator teaching alongside Mary Lea on the south side of Chicago through the Catholic Extension Society. He then accepted a teaching and coaching position in Platte, South Dakota, where he spent six years.

The majority of Jay’s teaching career was spent in Vermillion, South Dakota, where he served as a teacher, head boys and girls tennis coach, and head basketball coach. His dedication and talent as a coach brought tremendous success. In 1973, his girls tennis team won the State Championship, while the boys team finished as state runners-up. Under Jay’s leadership, the Vermillion boys basketball team captured back-to-back State Championships in 1988 and 1989.

Jay’s accomplishments as a coach earned him induction into five Hall of Fames, a testament to the lasting impact he had on his athletes, his schools, and his community.

Retirement from the high school classroom did not mean retirement from teaching for Jay. He continued his passion for education by joining the School of Education at the University of South Dakota. While at USD, he also returned to the basketball court, joining the USD women’s basketball program as a volunteer with Coach Lavin. They enjoyed 20+ years wintering in Pueblo El Mirage in Arizona.

Although Jay was an exceptional coach and educator, those who knew him best would say he was an even better family man. He was a devoted husband to Mary Lea and a proud father to his sons, Sam and Jason. His family is one of his greatest sources of joy and pride.

Jay believed strongly in giving back to others. He volunteered with the Red Cross disaster teams, Habitat for Humanity, and, for a short time, the Peace Corps. He enjoyed staying active and spending time with friends, and could often be found playing pickleball or golf—especially with his beloved group of friends known as the “carpetbaggers.”

Jay is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Lea. He is also survived by his sons, Sam (Janet) Hennies of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, their daughter, Brook; and Jason (Amy) Hennies of North Sioux City, South Dakota, their children, Tegan and Jaxon.

He is also survived by his brother, Rich (Barb) Hennies of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; brothers-in-law, Max (Sheila) Honke of Salem, South Dakota, and Ted (Marsha) Honke of Pickstown, South Dakota; and sister-in-law, Julie Krsnak of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jay will also be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, former students and athletes, and countless friends whose lives he touched throughout his interesting life. He was preceded in death by his children with Cystic Fibrosis Mary Frances, Jane Kathryn and Jason Paul; his parents Leland (Jack) and Mary Hennies, John Hennies (brother), Jack Hennies (grandson) and Max and Ona Lea Honke (in-laws).

Jay leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, family, service, education, and coaching. He dedicated his life to teaching and encouraging others, both on and off the court, and his influence will continue through the many lives he helped shape.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by those who knew and loved him.

Memorial mass will be 10:30 AM Saturday, September 5, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion with a Rosary at 10:00 AM. His body is being donated to the USD School of Medicine. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday with a Prayer service at 6:30 PM all at the church. (Wear RED!) HansenFuneralHome.com.  Service will be livestreamed at Hansen Funeral Home Facebook page.