Jerry Allen

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Geraldine (Jerry) Ann Jarrett Allen

On Saturday May 23, 2020, at 85 years of age, Geraldine passed away after a short illness.

Jerry was born on June 9, 1934 in Melrose, Kansas to Oma and Lloyd Jarrett. She lived in Melrose, Kansas throughout her childhood and was raised by her beloved Grandparents Anna and George Jarrett after the tragic and early deaths of her parents. Jerry had fond memories growing up in Melrose and helping her Grandparents with the filling station and store. Her favorite part about working at the store was helping herself to all the candy and sodas she could without being scolded. Her love of candy continued throughout her life and was passed on to her youngest daughter Renee. She attended grammar school in Melrose and High School in Columbus, Kansas.

Jerry married Bob Hale in Columbus, KS 1949, had two daughters, and subsequently married Lester Allen on March 13, 1960. Since Lester had been a Mason since the 1950s, it was natural that Jerry and Lester joined the order of the Eastern Star once they moved to California. They were both active in Eastern Star through the mid sixties until the early eighties, becoming Worthy Matron and Patron in San Jose, CA prior to their retirement and move to Auburn, CA. Those were some of her happiest memories.

She had quite a career throughout her life becoming one of the fastest keypunch operators in her class and also in the state of California. She had many jobs throughout her career in bookkeeping, payroll and keypunch operator for a trucking company.

She lived in many places including Wichita, Ks; Limestone, Maine; Oklahoma City, OK; Sumpter, SC; San Jose, CA; Auburn, CA; Lodi, CA; and finally in Studio City, CA. She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Lester Allen, her brother in- law Galen Allen, and her sister in-law Lillian Childers.

She is survived by, her three children, Randy Allen, Joselyn Spurgeon, husband David, and Renee Cheap, husband Frank, 6 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, her sister Bonnie Gartner and 5 nephews. She is being laid to rest in her family plot in Melrose, KS.

On June 10, 2020 at 1:00 PM there will be a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in Melrose, KS. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.