Jerry Louise Schlangenstein passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving and beloved family, on Saturday, June 23, at the age of 90. Jerry was born in Cleburne, Texas, the first child of Ernest and Georgia Tutt. Jerry grew up in Romayor and Burleson, Texas, where she graduated from high school.
She married Sterling Schlangenstein in 1954, and they had four daughters. Jerry and Sterling moved their family to nine states, including Alaska, and Goose Bay, Labrador, during his 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. In each new city, Jerry established homes that were happy and filled with love, security, and the power of family.
She taught her girls how to work hard, how to set goals and achieve them, and how to pull together seamlessly. She raised them to be strong and independent and to pursue their lives’ passions. Jerry enjoyed working and was employed over the years as an assistant manager at the Kellwood clothing manufacturer in Altus, Oklahoma and the Base Exchange at Eielson AFB, AK; sold Merle Norman cosmetics; and worked for State Farm Insurance.
She served as city secretary at Everman, Texas, and was a certified paramedic and chief of the Everman Volunteer Ambulance Squad. She involved herself and her family in their communities, opening a clothing bank at Goose Bay and becoming a regional leader in Girl Scouts. In later years, she and Sterling traveled across Europe and to the Caribbean.
She was an avid gardener and loved cultivating orchids, African violets and roses. She was an accomplished seamstress and provided clothing and parkas for her girls. Her cooking skills were unparalleled.
She was always known as a great beauty with a sharp wit, intelligent mind, and refined sense of style. She loved travelling, art, adventures and music. Jerry was preceded in death by her husband, Sterling; her parents; sister, Ernestine and her husband, Alvin; brother, Bill and his wife, Betty; and son-in-law, Bill Polk.
She is survived by her daughters, Jerry Moyer and husband, Bill; Kaye Polk; Marje Blaine and husband, Mike; and Mary Schlangenstein; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home Tuesday June 26, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be at Community of Hope United Methodist Church of Mansfield at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 27 and a private family graveside service will follow at Emerald Hills Memorial Park. Donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 Tel: 1-800-805-5856 Web: www.
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