Jean Gerdes

Jean Gerdes, 80 of Hurley, passed away on July 25, 2025. A memorial visitation will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, August 1, 2025 at the Hurley American Legion, Hurley. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Jean (Jeanie) was born on July 9th, 1945, to Noble and Melissa (Nielsen) Jensen. She grew up on the family farm near Swan Lake, and she attended Viborg High School. She was the homecoming queen and a cheerleader who caught the eye of a basketball player, Don Gerdes, from the rival school, Hurley. Don and Jeanie were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Viborg on September 4th, 1971. She lived a life full of love, generosity, and deep devotion to her family. She was known for her kind, caring, and loving spirit. She always put others before herself without hesitation. Whether through her warm hugs, gentle words, or delicious treats, she made everyone around her feel seen and cherished.

Family was everything to Jeanie, and she poured her heart into every role. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother. She shared a beautiful life with her husband, Don, and together they raised their children with endless love and support. She took immense joy in attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, attending over 4000 events with pride and love in her eyes at each one. She especially loved taking trips out to the Black Hills with Don to visit her brother-in-law, Ardie. Oftentimes, a couple of grandchildren would join in the car ride west. Two of her favorite stops along the way were The Ruby House in Keystone and Custer State Park. Jeanie also loved her Saturday shopping trips to Sioux Falls with her mom and sister Vikkie.

Her kitchen was the heart of the home, filled with the smells of delicious food and baked goods made with love, especially her chocolate cookies and pie. She ran a “breakfast club” on school mornings, waking up early to feed every grandchild who stopped by. She also loved celebrating every holiday, and she decorated the house for each of them. Christmas was especially dear to her and included numerous Christmas trees throughout the house. Christmas Eve was memorable with Jeanie leading the Danish Christmas carols while dancing hand-in-hand with her grandchildren around the Christmas tree. Her greatest happiness came from simply being with her family; laughing, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories that were treasured forever.

Jeanie is survived by her loving husband, Don Gerdes; her children Aaron (Cary) Gerdes, Molly (Chad) Mason, Jim (Tracy) Gerdes, Chuck (Dione) Gerdes, Kim (Clint) Schroedemeier; her 14 grandchildren Tyler (Cara), Connor, Kaden, Chase, Blake, Coral, Trey, Tate, Brady, Brenner, Grayson, Tori, Harper, Boeden; her two great grandchildren Roman and Nya; her sisters’ Susan (Jerome) Edelman, Vikkie Bak; brother-in-laws’ Tom Shea, Marly (Judy) Gerdes; sister-in-law Marlene Gross; and many other relatives and dear friends who will miss her deeply. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Patsy Shea, and her brother-in-laws’ Arden Gerdes and Gary Bak.

Her kindness touched everyone she met, and her legacy of love will live on through the lives she shaped