Gerald Lafayette Kersey Sr

September 7, 1927 - June 1, 2013

Gerald L. Kersey, Sr. and Lucile E. KerseyOur Mother, Lucile, passed away April 19, 2014 at the age of 88 and our Dad, Jerry passed away June 1, 2013 at the age of 85. Dad was born September 7, 1927 in Sioux City, Iowa, and Mom was born Lucile E. Seitzinger, March 14, 1926 in Sloan, Iowa. They met in Sioux City and dated for six years, marrying on May 21,1949, two hearts joined for a lifetime.At 17 years old, Dad went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad; he joined the Army Air Corps in 1944; after WW II ended, he returned to the railroad.In 1952, our Grandparents and our parents moved to Oregon to start a chicken ranch but times were slow, so Dad went to work for the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle (SPS) Railroad, which eventually became the Burlington Northern Railroad. They all settled in Redland, still worked the farmA , started a family, and cared for neighbors and friends. Mom was a Cub Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, was in Home Extension and worked on the Election Board. There wasn't a time when Mom and Dad weren't ready to lend a helping hand to someone in need.Dad retired from the Burlington Northern after 45 years of service in 1989. Mom and Dad were able to travel, enjoy their kids and grandkids, enjoy working on their house and yard. Dad loved to mow his yard and work in his shop, Mom loved to garden and tend her flowers. They were loving and devoted to one another and were able to celebrate 64 years together.Mom and Dad leave behind son Jerry and Kathy Kersey, daughter Cheri Kersey and their grandkids: Don Kersey and his fiance Megan Smith, Makenzie and Joe Layne, Dana and Preston Mork, and David Chesnut. Two great-grandkids: Joey and Evie Layne. Mom is survived also by her sis Maxine Gramm, brothers Robert and Ginny Seitzinger, and Lyle and Sherma Seitzinger. Dad is survived by brother Ronald Kersey. Also many nieces and nephews and lots of friends; they had lived in Redland for more than 60 years.On June 8, 2014, a private burial with the family will take place at Redland Cemetery. There will be a celebration of our parents lives at the Redland Grange, 18135 S. Fischers Mill Rd., Oregon City (Redland). The family invites you to share a laugh or a fond memory of our parents. We will always love and miss them. They are together again as they always were. 64 years of love is a true blessing.