01/12/2014
Geraldine Theresa “Jerri” (Jerkins) Winters, age 87, of Brooklyn and formerly of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away early Sunday morning, January 12, 2014 at the Brooklyn Community Estates in Brooklyn.
Jerri was born in Hamilton, Iowa, on February 11, 1926, the daughter of John Martin and Mabel Amelia (Toye) Jerkins. Jerri lived in Hamilton in her younger years before the family moved to Knoxville. Jerri graduated from Knoxville High School, Class of 1943.
On June 26, 1946, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville, Jerri, and Wendell Eugene Winters were united in marriage. Jerri and Wendell shared 67 1/2 years of marriage and they were blessed with four children: Wendy, Teresa, John, and Michael.
Jerri was an excellent homemaker and worked at Listers’ Dress Shop, Collins Hospital, and the VA Hospital in Knoxville, retiring in 1991 as the secretary to the Head of Psychiatry Service Department at the VA Hospital in Knoxville.
Jerri’s passion was a clean house, mowing yards, and raking leaves. She was dedicated to her family and she attended her kid’s and grandkids’ school and sporting events. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends.
Jerri will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her beef and noodles, and most importantly her unconditional love for her family.
Jerri is survived by her husband of 67 years, Wendell Winters; her children, Wendy Pettyjohn, Teresa Lucas, and fiancé Darrell Meeks, John (Risa) Winters, and Michael Winters; eight grandchildren, Katie Bedford, Aaron Pettyjohn, Adam Lucas, Jeffrey Lucas, Kyle Winters, Kurt Lucas, and fiancé Shelby Naylor, Brian Winters, and Nathan Winters; three great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Betty Jerkins.
Jerri is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Edward, Ray, and Bill Jerkins.
A funeral mass for Jerri will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 16, 2014, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Knoxville with Rev. Steven Ebel and Phil Ryan officiating. 
Burial will follow services at the Pleasantville Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Jerri’s family will be greeting friends one hour prior to service time.
A memorial has been established for Jerri’s family. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com.
The Winfield Funeral Home is assisting Jerri’s family with services.