Geraldine "Jerry" "Jerry" VanOrden

Obituary

Geraldine "Jerry" Van Orden

Geraldine was called "Jerry" all of her life. She was born on April 21, 1924, the tenth child of William Gilbert Sorensen and Florence James Sorensen.

Jerry was born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho, and attended schools there. She graduated from Blackfoot High School.

Jerry married Alma Leon Van Orden on June 17, 1943, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They had seven children. Jerry's children were her greatest joy and achievement.

She graduated from the L.P.N. program in Blackfoot and served at the State Hospital South from the time she graduated until she retired. She worked in the podiatry clinic and central supply and also served as a staff nurse. She was active in the L.P.N. association for many years.

Jerry was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was very proud of her pioneer heritage. She loved to garden, read, travel, and camp with family.

Jerry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; her daughter, Yvonne; her son, Kevin; her parents; and 13 siblings.

She is survived by her children: Terry Van Orden (Linda, deceased; Marge) of Blackfoot; Christine Grunander (Carl) of North Ogden, Utah; Deborah Cox (Mike, deceased) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Jerri Lee Bergeman (David, deceased) of Blackfoot; and JoAnn Kurtzweil (Mike) of Crestwood, Kentucky.

The family would like to express our appreciation to the many hospice caregivers who helped care for Jerry for the last few years. Also, special thanks to Jerri Lee and Deb for the wonderful care. Thank you to everyone who helped and was there for Mom.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Blackfoot South Stake Center. The family will meet with friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.