Grace Marie Jerdee

Grace Marie Jerdee, 83, of Benson, MN, died unexpectedly Friday, October 30, 2020, at her home. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed be the the funeral at 11;00 am, on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Grace (Gracie) Marie Wefald was born January 16th, 1937 in Valley City, ND to Harald and Grace (Baarstad) Wefald. She grew up on the Baarstad family farm near Kathryn, ND and graduated high school in Enderlin, ND in 1955. She was united in marriage to Gerald Jerdee July 27, 1955. They lived in Jamestown, ND while dad attended college. They resided in Clinton, MN from 1959-1966 where dad started his coaching and teaching career and they made many life-long friends there. In 1966 they moved to Benson.

When they moved to Benson mom began working out of the home. She worked at Fingerhut, Kenyon Drug, Sears Roebuck, for Dr. Wayne Peterson, and finally as church secretary for Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church for several years.

Mom’s faith and her church were her rocks. She was a member of Our Redeemer’s WELCA and the Altar Guild as well as a long- time member of the Senior Choir. Music was mom’s happy place. Her love of music began while growing up on the farm where she would perform for the animals and continued in high school where she was involved with musical groups. In Benson, she was a member of the musical groups Octachords, Sing Four Joy, and Friends quartet and it gave her joy to perform with them all. She really enjoyed the bus trips and car trips with her friends to the plays and musicals.

As a coach’s wife “par excellence”, she attended many sporting events; either watching her own kids participate or just being a fan. Her hobbies included sewing, gardening and watering the flowers with Maria, collecting recipes and cookbooks, volunteering, and spending time with friends. She loved a glass of White Zin, especially for happy hour with us or while watching jeopardy. Sunday morning coffee hour and brunch with “the group” were a highlight of her week (and the bloody marys that went with it). She kept in daily contact with her high school friends (who affectionately called her Weef) through an email group. She was filled with joy whenever she was able to spend time with her family.

Surviving are her children: Barbara (Robin) Lamppa of Fargo, ND, Diane (Ron) Hills of Dilworth, MN, and Robert Jerdee of Benson. Grandchildren: Kari (Shipon) Khan, Kristiina (Alexander) Reisnour, Kelli (fiancée Logan Page) Lamppa, Rachelle Brown, Ashley (Matthew) Grabill, Miranda Brown, Tate Jerdee, and Maria Jerdee. Great grandchildren: Nolan Obregon and Ayla Khan. Sister-in-law: Glenna (Gary) Gibbons of Alexandria, MN. And several nieces, nephews, and cousins who were all very important to her.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald Jerdee, son Steven Jerdee, brother David Wefald, sister Dorothy Elrod, and granddaughter Nicole Brown.

Like her mother before her, our mother was a saint.

Click on the picture below to view Grace Jerdee's Memorial Service.