Eileen A. Jerde

Eileen A. Jerde, 87, of Prairie du Chien, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Prairie Maison Care Center following a brief illness.

She was born Sept. 17, 1929, in Arland, the daughter of Anthony and Anna (Ludke) Merle. She married Ingle Jerde on June 10, 1949, in Almena. Eileen was an active member of St. Peter’s Church in Prairie du Chien, an avid golfer and a talented seamstress. 

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Ingle Jerde, of Prairie du Chien; her children, Cheryl (Don) Peterson, of Ashland, Ore., Mary Ann (Craig) Chapman, of Raleigh, N.C., Jeannie (Bernie Mrazik) Jerde, of Deerfield, James (Leslie) Jerde, of Harpers Ferry, Karl (Tana) Jerde, of Appleton, and Karin (Scott) Yeomans, of Prairie du Chien; her brothers, Eldred (Hazel) Merle, of Almena, and Raymond (Bonnie) Merle, of Woodbury, Minn.; her sisters, Alice Tyvol, of Baldwin, and Janet Merle, of Coon Rapids, Minn.; 15 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Grace Merle. 

Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m., at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rev. Joe Irvin officiating, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family.