Jennifer Bechtel 1973-2018
Jennifer Ann Bechtel, 45, of Holton, passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at Stormont-Vail.
She was born April 12, 1973, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Frederick L. Gerdom and Melodee Cooper Kennedy.
Jennifer graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1991 in Mediapolis, Iowa; she was valedictorian and received the Presidential Scholarship to attend Iowa Wesleyan College. She later earned her paramedic license at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa. Jennifer later continued her medical career by becoming a registered nurse in 2006.
Jennifer worked for Jackson and Johnson County EMS as an EMT and paramedic. She worked for Atchison Hospital and later for Stormont-Vail Hospital as an ER nurse.
She was a member of United Methodist Church in Mediapolis, Iowa.
Jennifer was a talented musician and singer. She enjoyed sci-fi movies, cooking, animals, politics and most importantly her family.
She married Jimmie D. Bechtel on Aug. 30, 2003 in Sperry, Iowa; they celebrated 14 years of marriage.
Survivors include her husband, Jimmie of the home; mother, Melodee Kennedy of Burlington, Iowa; son, Jacob Hess (Tamara Drinkard) of Holton; daughter, Hannah Bechtel of the home; two sisters, Alisha Smith (Justin) of Kansas City, Mo., and Denette Walsh (Pat) of Denver, Colo.; two brothers, Jeff Gerdom (Nicole) of Mediapolis, Iowa, and Dane Kennedy of Austin, Texas; and two nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick Gerdom; stepfather, Dennis Kennedy; and maternal grandparents, Wesley and Madeline Cooper.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will follow in Holton Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Hannah Bechtel’s Educational Fund, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Iowa. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
