Francis Jerome Studer

On August 22, 2018, Jerry passed through the gates of heaven and into the open arms of Muriel, his wife of 68 years and the love of his life. Waiting with Muriel were his parents, Elizabeth and Albert Studer, sisters, Dolores and Marcelline, brothers, Julian and Walter, grandson, Kevin Hermansen, step-great-granddaughter, Brooke, son-in-law, Pat McElveny, and numerous relatives and friends. F. Jerome "Jerry" Studer was born on June 14, 1917 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jerry was the youngest of 5 children of Elizabeth and Albert. On July 16, 1940 he married Muriel Carlson and spent the next 68 years by her side. Together they owned and operated J&M Nursery, specializing in growing beautiful plants and shrubs and selling them to local landscapers and retailers. Jerry was a proud Army veteran serving in Germany and receiving an Honorable Discharge in August 1946. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for over 76 years and was one of the Union's longest standing members. Jerry was a skilled auto body repairman and was recruited to be the vocational instructor of auto body repair at Clark College where he taught for 20 years. Jerry loved sharing his knowledge with young people and took great pride in watching his students succeed in the auto repair industry. He enjoyed spending winters in his home in Mesa, Arizona, playing golf, watching the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, working in the garden, square and round dancing, and spending time with friends and relatives. Jerry is survived by his 3 daughters, Sheila (Gary) Hermansen, Sandy (Duane) Burckhard and Cindy (Pat- deceased) McElveny; 2 granddaughters, Kim LaValley and Tanya (Jevon) Domench; 4 grandsons, Scott (Kristin) Burckhard, Kyle (Debbie) Hermansen, Mark (Angela) Burckhard, Tyson (Hayley) McElveny; 2 step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 6 step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was a lifelong Catholic and a member of St. John Catholic Church for over 66 years. We thank God for letting us have him for over 101 years. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 30, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A reception will follow the Mass. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens next to Muriel. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Hospital for Children or to Hospice Southwest.

Francis Jerome Studer

June 14, 1917 - August 22, 2018