Laura Jerstad

Laura (Hoeger) Jerstad

Laura (Hoeger) Jerstad, in her death, was received into the loving arms of Christ Jesus, on May 18, 2021. She was a remarkable 102 years old.

Laura was born with the first breath of spring on March 22, 1919, to Reverend August John Hoeger and Amelia Johanna (Aden) Hoeger, in the town of Arthur, on the Great Plains of North Dakota. She was the fourth of eight children. Laura's father was the founder of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, one of our nation's largest non-profit, long term care providers.

Laura married the love of her life, Reverend Jacob (Jake) Berton Jerstad on June 23, 1941 at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota after completing her Registered Nurses degree from Saint Luke's Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota.

Laura and Jake, throughout their 54 years of marriage, until his death, served in a number of parishes in the Midwest and Florida. As a pastor's wife, Laura was active in congregational life and ministries and was a wise and compassionate friend to members of her church and community.

Family life was the heart of Laura's joy and dedication. She was a beloved wife, mother of six children, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her nurturing love was the sustaining strength and delight of her family. All her children knew the tender love of being rocked and sung to in her loving arms.

To know Laura, was also to see her with her nose in a book with a cup of coffee, or penciling in word finding puzzles with amazing speed. Nearby were beautiful sewing and knitting projects for her family and for community needs. She was an avid bowler, even when it became virtual, a lover of sun and swimming and a lifelong bicycler (until the age of 92.)

In the golden years of retirement Laura and Jake moved to the Good Samaritan Village, Kissimmee, FL along with several of Laura's siblings and their spouses. They loved traveling, especially overseas.

Laura was a person of deep Christian faith. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kissimmee, Florida. Her life expressed her faith with a practice of daily devotions, bible study and worship. She also put her faith into action by caring for others through prayer, friendship and acts of kindness and generosity. She leaves behind a world of people whose lives she has touched!

Laura was preceded in death in her immediate family by her husband, Jacob Jerstad, and her eldest son, Mark Jerstad. Surviving family members include daughter-in-law, Sandy Jerstad, of Sioux Falls, SD, daughter Randi Jacobs, of Washougal, WA, daughter Rachel Flath and husband, Tom, of Portland, OR, daughter Mary Baurichter and husband, Jim, of Gig Harbor, WA, daughter Julia Will and husband, Mike of Columbia, MO, son John Jerstad and wife, Karla of Sioux Falls, SD and a host of treasured grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members.

Laura's family gives thanks to God for the multitude of blessings given to them through Laura's beautiful life of love and faith.

A memorial service will be held and announced at a later time.