Jerry Martin Duczek, 77, of Pine Creek, Wash., passed away April 20, 2013, at his home outside Tonasket, Wash. Jerry was born to Peter Philip and Sarah Lorain (Rotzien) Duczek on Jan. 16, 1936, in Watson, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Jerry always made his home in the Great Northwest. In 1956 he married Jackie Sorrell (McAvoy). They had four children: daughter Kathie Chirhart (Tom), son Peter Duczek (Sara), daughter Tonia (Jim Frank) and daughter Nikki Lynch (Joel).

Jerry and Chris Latham moved to Tonasket in 1980 and started their family. They had four daughters: Tyla Rae Eaves (Chris), Autumn Duczek, Tara Duczek and Victoria Dunham (Ryan).

He leaves behind his faithful friends, Steve and Terry Nelson and their three daughters; friends, Deb and Amanda Burrows; as well as his beloved horse, Pine Creek; and his two Blue Heelers, Gussie and Pepper.

Jerry was a rodeo cowboy in his younger years, riding bulls and team roping. He was an ironworker by trade but a cowboy at heart. He was a member of the Kootenai County Sheriff Posse and the Ironworkers Local 14. He loved watching old westerns, his 22 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and was always most comfortable on the back of a horse.

He leaves behind the love of his life; his mother, Sarah Matthews; brothers, Roger Duczek, Loren and Lloyd Johnson; sisters, Carol Rice and Linda Abrams; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Duczek and his father, Peter Duczek.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013, at Pine Creek Cemetery in Tonasket. There will be a potluck gathering after the graveside service at the Riverside Grange Hall in Riverside, Wash. Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel in Okanogan, Wash., is caring for the arrangements.