Jeremy Jay Gunnels, 40, of North Sioux City, SD, passed away March 1, 2026. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 7 at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation 1 hour prior at Riverside Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. Burial will be at a later date at Sharon Cemetery in Drexel, MO.

Jeremy was born December 15, 1985 in Sioux City, IA, the son of Jay Gunnels and Mary (Cook, Gunnels) Halverson. Jeremy resided in Sioux City after high school before moving to Dakota Dunes where he resided until his passing. Jeremy attended Sunday School and Bible School at the McCook Lake United Methodist Church. He was baptized June 8, 2003 at the Riverside Methodist Church.

Jeremy attended McCook Elementary and Dakota Valley School where he graduated in 2004. He played Jr. High and High School football, basketball, and track. Also playing Siouxland Y flag football and basketball. We also told our kids once you start something they had to finish whether they were winning or losing. DV had some rough years in football loosing and most of the games being done by halftime. Jeremy would tell us stories and we would just laugh and enjoy the stories even though it was not easy being beat up physically every week loosing and then turn around and do it all over again. Jeremy loved to tell stories and would to reenact some, which was even more entertaining.

Jeremy loved animals and would nurture whatever would come to his house, kitties, dogs (sometimes that being a friend wanted to get rid of there dog and Jeremy would take it in), possums, raccoons, and squirrels. Emmitt was his last black lab and was so missed when he passed away by Jeremy and the whole family felt that loss along with him.

Jeremy loved being with family. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and Birthdays were all celebrated with food, games and fellowship. Jeremy also went on a few cruises with his family and another wonderful memory for his family. He enjoyed playing with his step-niece and step-nephew, Harlowe and Ford and going on adventures with his nephew CJ.

Jeremy’s most prized possession when he turned 40 was buying a 2017 Corvette. He was so proud of it. He had plans of going to Omaha’s Racetrack with a few of his work buddies with their Corvette’s and race them, he was going to make T-shirts with some saying about Shifting Gears, because at Gelita they work different shifts.

Jeremy’s places of work had been while in school was one year of detasseling in Jr. High, doesn’t everyone do at least one year? He has also worked at Two Rivers Golf Course, Audino Construction, Phillips Kiln, Sabre and his present job was Gelita.

Survivors include, dad, Jay Gunnels; mom, Mary Halverson; step-dad, Harlan Halverson; sister, Joni Smith and husband Brian Smith; and nephew Carson Smith (CJ); step-brothers: Ryan Halverson and wife Brenda, Erik Halverson and wife Christine, and Brad Halverson and wife Carissa. He also was survived by many Aunts and Uncles and Cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Ruth Gunnels, Raymond and Juanita Cook. Uncles, Jim Bob Gunnels, Howard Cook, Bob Cook, Ron Cook. Aunts, Lois Cook and Marilyn Cook.