- Geraldine (Jerri) Marie Duncan Rafferty, lived her entire life in Coon Rapids, Iowa, just eight miles from where she was born. Born on November 10, 1927, she was the youngest of the five children of George and May (Trullinger) Duncan. Jerri attended country school near her home and then Annunciation Catholic School in Coon Rapids before graduating from Coon Rapids High School in 1945. Jerri then worked at the Whitten Drug Store soda fountain, where she met a just-discharged WW II veteran who worked at the Lyric Theater and had a taste for cherry Cokes. She married that guy, Richard Rafferty on August 27, 1946, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids.
Jerri was an active member of Annunciation Church all her life. During the years when her children were young, she volunteered with the American Cancer Society, worked at Garst and Thomas during processing time, and taught religion classes at Annunciation Catholic School. She was a devoted, loving mother, a proud grandmother, and a doting great-grandmother. She also made the best potato salad in a four-state region. Even when faced with diversity, Jerri was known for her positive attitude and she made friends where she went. She enjoyed singing, sharing meals with her friends, and traveling to Colorado to visit her family.
On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Jerri passed away at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, at the age of 91. She left this world as she lived it, conscious of God, unafraid of death, and at peace, surrounded by family.
Jerri is survived by her four sons: Tom Rafferty and wife Kathie of Boulder, CO; Ron Rafferty of Coon Rapids; Rick Rafferty and wife Janet of Frederick, CO and Scott Rafferty and wife Taunya of Northglenn, CO; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister Jean Williamson of Littleton, CO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jerri was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard Rafferty in 1989; a sister Dorothy; brothers Merle (Delores) Duncan and Dwaine (Norma) Duncan; and in-laws: Roy and Helen Reid, Orville and Arlene Pevestorf, Jack Rafferty and Bill Williamson.
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1927 - 2019 (91 years)
