Geraldine J. Willard

Geraldine "Jerry" Jessie (Schutter) Willard, daughter of Wallie and Jessie (Connell) Schutter, was born December 16th, 1926 in Topeka and passed on Monday, April 13, 2015 at Homestead Assisted Living in Topeka. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Gerald (Jerry) Willard, her grandson, Jason Willard, her brothers, Arnold Schutter and Wallie Schutter Jr. She is survived by her sister, Rubye Schutter Butler of Overland Park and children, Karol Ely (Gary) of Frisco Texas, Dan Willard (Susan) of Valley Falls, Kansas and TJ Willard (Brenda) of Eskridge, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Throughout her life Jerry lived in rural Wabaunsee (Snokomo) County, Eskridge, and Topeka. In her later years she lived at Lexington Apartments, Drury Place and then Homestead Assisted Living where she battled dementia and declining health. Through it all she remained positive, engaged with her family and was always a pleasant loving person.

Through her life Jerry enjoyed both personally and professionally giving back to her community. She loved the years she worked as an activity director at the Eskridge Nursing Home. She loved her job, the residents, the many volunteers and her co-workers. She was involved with the Wabaunsee County Historical Society and with her friends and neighbors in the Snokomo area, restored the old one-room schoolhouse where she and her sister and brothers attended. She was active at the Eskridge Senior Center and enjoyed volunteering at the Eskridge Library.

Jerry was a talented quilter and was an avid reader. She made many quilts through the years which she hand quilted for all her children and grandchildren, giving the great-grandchildren baby quilts as each were born. She loved playing with her grandchildren and then her great-grandchildren; she always had ideas to entertain them.

In their retirement years, Jerry and Gerald lived on the farm her ancestors homesteaded off Snokomo Road; she was the fourth consecutive female descendant to live on the land. Everyone enjoyed visiting at the farm. The whole family loved her and enjoyed her homemade cookies and cinnamon rolls.

Memorials may be sent to the Eskridge Library, 115 South Main, Eskridge, KS 66423.

Jerry chose to be cremated and a gathering will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 9th on the hill at the corner of Snokomo Road and Jaketown Road. A luncheon will follow at T.J. and Brenda's home.