Jo Ella J. Gerdes

Jo Ella J. Gerdes

          Jo Ella J. Gerdes, age 84, of Rockford, died Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at her home.

          Jo Ella was born March 26, 1936 in Council Bluffs, Iowa the daughter of Louis and Thelma (Kissel) Le Rette.  She married Jim Gerdes on October 20, 1972 in Rockford.  Jo Ella was employed with the Harlem School District for many years.  She enjoyed gambling, gardening, flea marketing, garage sales and being a grandma.

          She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jim Gerdes; her three children, Cheryl Crom of Loves Park, Cindy Orander of Machesney Park and Mike (Valerie) Smith of Loves Park; two brothers, Lewis (Dorothy) Le Rette of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Ike (Helen) Crabtree of Loves Park; six grandchildren, Amy and Amanda Hale, Heidi (Chris) Day, Ryan Smith, Alyssa (Ron) Johnson and Taylor Smith; and four great grandchildren, Alexis Hale, Noah Smith, Gialana Smith and Rhilynn Smith.

          She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Richard Le Rette and Bob Le Rette.

          Visitation, for a maximum of 10 people at a time, will be Friday, December 18, 2020 from 11:00 AM – Noon at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Dixon.  A private funeral will follow.  Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon.  Masks and social distancing will be enforced.

          Online condolences may be sent to www.chapelhilldixon.com.

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