Geraldine Margaret Jackson

Geraldine M. Jackson 94 of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota died Monday, February 1, 2016 at Essentia Health, Fargo, North Dakota. Geraldine was born on January 2, 1922, the daughter of George and Myrthel (Wendland) Hein in Webster, South Dakota. As a child of the depression, Geraldine grew up like most everyone else during that time, working poor. Over the years, her dad, George, gave shots to cows as an unofficial local vet, he was a butter maker at the creamery, worked for the railroad and was constantly learning new skills to feed his family. Hunting and fishing provided much of the family diet. Her mother, Myrtle, gardened, canned meats and vegetables, bartered for kids' piano lessons, worked at the telephone company, the pickle factory, and eventually opened a rather successful diner, two train cars, in Chaska, MN. In her later years (She lived to 102), she was an Avon lady and knew every woman in town by the color of her lipstick.  Geraldine worked and played hard. She skied, skated, acted in high school plays, was majorette in the marching band, and loved outings with friends. After high school she went to beauty school, living in Minneapolis, a period in her life she always cherished.  After graduating, her married life began. Her husband David, home from the war, worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone company. This job moved people frequently, and the phone families became close.  During the frequent moves, Gerry fixed up each new home, painting, buying pictures, antiques and refinishing them, and was an accomplished homemaker. She taught church classes, volunteered at school, golfed, played cards, and roller skated. Dance Club and dancing in general were a weekly social event for David and Gerry.  David died young, and Gerry was devastated. Then Tom Bell wooed Geraldine back to the world of the living. This all evolved into a 22 year romance. (William) Tom Bell became grandfather to her grand kids; he was travel companion, help mate and dance partner. Tom and Gerry reminded us you didn't need a lot of money to have fun and be happy in old age. They lived life to the fullest. When Tom died, Gerry still enjoyed her home, keeping up on current events, her neighbors, her birds (using her BB gun to shoot at the squirrels, banging pans together in the back yard to scare the crows and those pesky deer), and keeping flowers. Her blindness had her relying upon beloved Karen Johnson next door and Gary McDougal, who visited and helped her on a regular basis. After thirteen years, she moved to Lincoln Park Assisted Living. This broke her heart. While she was very proud of her apartment, loved her new friends, and appreciated the assistance, she never quite believed it was necessary to be placed in the care of others.  Geraldine Margaret lived a long and eventful adventure. May we benefit from the stories lived before us. They remind us who we have been, and give us direction. Geraldine is survived by two daughters, Marsha Knight of Shakopee, Minnesota; Georgia (Michael) Heisserer of Falcon Heights, MN; five grandchildren, David (Danielle) Heisserer, Jed Heisserer  Barbara Knight, Wendy (Randy) Renard and Holly (Dana) Jensen; five great grandchildren, Brianna Dahl, Hannah and Caleb Jensen, Ryan and Raelene Renard; numerous nieces and nephews. Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, husband, David Jackson Sr., son, David Jackson Jr., son-in-law, Jerry Knight, sister, Shirley Engle and brother, Alan Hein.