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Geraldine L. "Jerry" Meyer • 1927 - 2010 Geraldine Louise Birdsall was born April 23, 1927 in Berthold, ND, to Herb and Mildred (Wixer) Birdsall. She was raised and educated in Berthold, and graduated from Berthold High School in 1944. She then graduated from Minot State Business College. On December 30, 1946 Geraldine married Darrel Meyer in Randolph, Nebraska. They farmed and ranched near Berthold and Watford City (Figure Four Ranch) with her father Herb and their children. Jerry also had apartments in Watford City and Berthold. Jerry was an inspired Democratic Party activist from the first time her uncle, Leon Birdsall, took her to meetings in the 1950’s. In the 1970’s, once her older children were grown, Jerry became a leader in her own right. She contributed her knowledge of Roberts Rules and Order and her attention to details as a long time member of the State Convention Rules Committee. As a District Chair, she excelled as a leader by bringing together Party activists from Renville County and all of rural Ward County to successfully elect Democrats to all District 3 Legislative seats. 1982 to 1989, Jerry was an elected State Senator from District 3. She served on the Human Services, Veterans Affairs and the Judiciary Committees. During the 1987 and 1989 sessions she chaired the Senate Judiciary committees-one of only a couple non-lawyers on the Committee. Jerry developed great respect among legislators with a special interest for advancing the status of women and the interests of rural communities. She was always concerned about demonstrating respect for diverse opinions and helping disadvantaged people find opportunity. Her speeches on the Senate floor were known to be well researched, carefully worded and eloquent in their brevity. Jerry was very proud of serving in the North Dakota Senate along with her son, Dean Meyer. Jerry was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold. She was active in 4-H, and in the Berthold School. She was a member of the Farmers Union, and she served as president for the District and State Cattle Women’s Association. For many years Jerry helped serve as secretary for the Figure Four Rodeo Company. Her grandchildren and their friends knew that the door was always open at Grandma Jerry’s if they needed a place to stay or hang out. She loved to read, travel, and enjoyed going on trips with her niece Barb. Her whist and bridge club friends were very important to her. Jerry was a proud farm wife who was always there for her family. She never worried about herself, but wanted to make sure her family was taken care of. Jerry was preceded in death by her son, Dale Meyer; an infant daughter; grandson, Garrett Clarkson; parents, Herb and Mildred Birdsall; sisters, Eleanor Trondson and Merle Kalenze Stevick; stepmother, Daisy Haugen Birdsall; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Ella Meyer; sisters-in-law, Donna Witzel and Lois Schnoor. Funeral: Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold, ND. Visitation: Sunday, July 25, 2010 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and Monday one hour prior to the service in the church. Burial: Wildrose Cemetery, Berthold, ND. Officiating Clergy: Rev. Kevin Beard Eulogist: Alan Lee Musicians Active Pallbearers:
Jerry’s Grandchildren Everyone is invited to join the family in the church fellowship hall for lunch and fellowship. If you do not wish to attend the graveside service the family would like you to begin the meal and they will join you when they return from the cemetery. Our family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness shown during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten. May God bless the memory of Jerry Meyer!
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Geraldine L. “Jerry” Meyer, 83, Berthold, ND, died Thursday, July 22, 2010 in a Minot hospital.