Geraldine Jerdet, age 83, of Blooming Prairie, died Sunday evening, May 5, 2002, at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Geraldine AnnaMae Jensen, the daughter of Walter and Anna (Nelson) Jensen was born Jan. 6, 1919, on a farm south of Newry in Freeborn County. She attended country school near her home. After completing her education, Geraldine worked as a housekeeper for area families. On June 11, 1938, she was united in marriage to Joel Jerdet in Iowa. The couple made their home in Austin for a short time before moving to farm in Newry Township, Freeborn County. She had been employed at the Geo. A. Hormel Company, the Corning Store, and for the Hollandale Association. She enjoyed reading her Bible, doing puzzles, crossword puzzles, gardening, cooking baking and playing yahtzee. She also enjoyed spending time with family and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and the WELCA.

Survivors include her husband, Joel Jerdet of the Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie; one son, James Jerdet of rural Austin; four daughters: Deanna (Donald) Yokiel of Wells, Julie (Jim) Halla of Spring Valley, Janice (Craig) Bauman of Hayfield, and Peggy Bauman of Blooming Prairie; 11 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters: Sally Anderson of Hayward, Delores Gwin of Austin, and Dorothy Underland of Kiester; five brothers: Leslie (Irene) Jensen of Janesville, Milo (Lorraine) Jensen of Austin, Richard (Jan) Jensen of Hollandale, Donald (Carol) Jensen of Kiester, and Manly Jensen of Moscow; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Her parents; one sister, Elaine Anderson; and two brothers, Sylvester and Alton Jensen, preceded her in death.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin, with Rev. Bruce Falksen officiating. Interment is at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, and at the church one hour before the service.

Memorials are preferrred to Crossroads Community Hospice in Albert Lea.