Jerdie Ann Knudsen Hessler born September 8, 1943 in to Howard W and Betty J Kahler Knudsen at Fair Acres hospital. Jerdie quietly passed on April 26, 2023 with her daughter by her side. Cremation took place at her request, no services will be held.
Jerdie was preceded in death by her mother Betty J Kahler Knudsen Roberts and her step father Kenneth (Kenny) G. Roberts.
Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Jerdie will be next to her mother and grandmother.
Jerdie proudly graduated from Class of 1961 in Scottsbluff, NE and attended one year of college. She worked as a switchboard operator at the phone company. She married in 1969 to Morris Hessler and had two children. Jerdie attended St. Pauls Church in Mitchell from 1969-1989, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the Sunday School and church choir. She served as an Historian with the ladies Guild and participated in all our church activities throughout those years.
Jerdie returned to college at the age of 47 and graduated in 1995. She earned Phi Theta Kappa and her BA from WNCC with a 4.0 GPA. She worked as a receptionist/secretary at The Residency for 13 years and was adored by all the residents and touched many lives in her time there.
Jerdie was the 1st den mother” for 3 years as a Boy Scout Leader. She instructed 10 boys and Mr. Tony Branson was her Scout helper.
Jerdie leaves behind many friends and loved ones including her magnificent-brilliant daughter, Susie Hessler and Susie’s children: Keyana Wilfred, who attends UNLV and played basketball for the Rebels. She will graduated May 2023 then continue with her graduate studies. Her son: Seth Wilfred, who attends Bishop Gorman High School in Henderson, NV will also graduate May 2023. He will continue with his football career at Snow College in Utah. Jerdie was preparing to see her grand-children graduate. Jerdie was filled with pride.
Jerdie had a son, Derrick Hessler of Mitchell Valley. His awesome children are: Ansley Hessler of Laramie, WY who will graduated from Nursing. Nana loved their talks when she was home to visit. Garrett Hessler, an electrician who will be successful and Nana was proud of him for that. Evan Hessler, the dedicated farmer we all know he would become. Tate Hessler, the gamer of Mitchell Valley.
Jerdie began dialysis in 2017 which has spanned six years of time. Davita Medical Center was where she spent much of her time for medical care, we grew to love the amazing, terrific staff and nurses who cared for her and loved her.
She especially loved “Pearl” a woman who has a gentle touch and a loving voice. Thank you Pearl, you are a reassuring presence, we both appreciated and loved.
Daughters Words
My mom would tell me, there is no manual for raising kids right. I came home because grandparents are vital, needed and loved unconditionally by children. Keyana had a special relationship with her Gram and a different on her Nana- They taught her things I could not. Time slows down with Grand-parents. They can control words, thoughts and the meaning to life. I depended on them and they gave me more that I asked for. Compassion, determination and grit are what my kids are made out of- because of their time and grace spent with both of them. We should all take a page from their book.
*Listen more – talk less
*Look up – not down
*Say excuse me
*Say thank you
*Say yes ma’am
*Say no sir
Tell them you love them now.
Lastly, Jerdie wanted to mention her favorite ex-son-lin-law Cyp Wilfred, whom she learned to love again. He resides in Las Vegas, NV with Keyana and Seth.
Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the family.