Jessica Dawn "Jessie" Jerke, 21 of LaSalle, Colorado went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 5, 2011.
She was born on November 13, 1989 in Greeley, Colorado, and delighted her parents William Harry and Jeannie Maurine (Randall) Jerke, every day of her beautiful life.
Jessie was a member of the Greeley Children's Chorale and the Continental Singers. She went on mission trips to Costa Rica and India. In 2009 a music festival to benefit Jessie was held at the Northridge High School where over 100 artists performed in her honor. She never lost her amazing faith and was very brave throughout her illness.
She graduated from University High School in 2008 where she sang, danced, and played tennis. She later attended Colorado Christian University majoring in Music Education and was a member of the CCU Women's Choir.
Jessie was passionate about God and was a true missionary. On her 21st birthday she asked friends to donate to Harvest India instead of bringing gifts. She raised enough funds to drill 6 wells in India to provide fresh water for thousands of God's children. To learn more about Jessie's journey go to www.jessicajerke.com.
Survivors include her parents, Bill and Jeannie Jerke of LaSalle; 2 brothers, Ryan Jerke of LaSalle and Corey Holmes of Platteville; Stephanie Trostel of LaSalle; her aunts and uncles, Chuck and Joyce Jerke of Greeley, Gail and Mark Walker of Cheyenne, Frank H. and Shelli Randall of Greeley and Beth Anne and Terry Lewis of Edwards, California; her cousins, Stacey McCaul, Kurt Jerke, Mark Jerke, Jordanne McDonald, Heather, Hope, Kristyn , Jenna and Josh Dees; two Compassion children, BabyLove from Haiti and Apu from India; and a host of family, friends, church family and medical professionals throughout the country. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Alice Jerke and Jerry and Ethel McDonald.
A funeral service to celebrate Jessie's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Christ Community Church, 1301 15th Street in Greeley. A reception will follow the service and a graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Linn Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday.
Memorial gifts may be made to the University Schools Foundation to be used for scholarships to benefit University High School graduates. Checks should be noted "Jessica Jerke Memorial fund" and mailed to P. O. Box 336785 Greeley, Co. 80633.