Clear and Breezy, 62° F
(Dec. 9, 1917 - April 7, 2015)
Geraldine “Jerry” Ellen Blakesley died April 7, 2015 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody. She was 97.
She was born Dec. 9, 1917, in Olin, Iowa, the third child of Lester and Edna Emerson.
She was the third child of 12 children, six boys and six girls.
The family moved to Colorado by train in 1917 and on to Medicine Bow by wagon in 1920 where they homesteaded. After finishing school, she worked at the Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow for many years. There she met Elmer Blakesley and they were married on May 10, 1939, in Estes Park, Colorado.
They moved to Casper in 1940, to Oregon Basin in 1941 and into Cody in 1958, where they raised two children while Elmer worked for Marathon Oil Company until 1964.
They then managed the Sunset Motor Inn for Jim Minter until 1983. After Elmer’s death in 2002, Jerry continued to enjoy helping with her family and grandchildren.
Jerry moved to Powell in 2007. Health issues forced her to move to the West Park Hospital Long Term Care Center in 2013.
Jerry always enjoyed pitching in, meaningful work, helping others, getting along and doing the right thing. She will be missed.
She is survived by her son Ronald (Sheila) of Orofino, Idaho, and her daughter Marlene (Mike) Thiel of Powell.
Also surviving are six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; two sisters Ruth Newkirk of Riverton and Jean (George) Hubler of Brush, Colorado.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; one infant daughter Lari May; brothers Lester, Sherill and Ode, Glenn, Bob, Don; and sisters Clarice, Reva and Beverly.
Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 2025 23rd Street, Cody, at 10 a.m. Monday, May 11.
Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or the donor’s choice.
Ballard Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
