John “Jerry” Kittridge
Oct. 27, 1930 – Jan. 25, 2024
Preceded in death by wife Marge; son Jeff; sister Mary Alice Donovan; brothers Thomas and Richard Kittridge. Survived by children Stephanie (Michael) Hamilton and Kevin Kittridge; grandchildren Kit and Bria Hamilton; brother-in-law Bill Tesnohlidek; sister-in-law Joanie Pfeffer; many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Sunday, January 28, 1:00 pm with a Wake Service at 2pm at the mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, January 29, 11:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Church (74 & Vinton St). Private Interment
Jerry Kittridge, an Irishman, was born to John and Alice (Stout) Kittridge on October 27, 1930 in the town of Greeley, Nebraska. He grew up during the Great Depression living what he described as a “hard life” but also a good life on the farm with his parents and siblings: Mary Alice, Tom and Dick. They had no water or electricity his entire youth. The family prayed the rosary every night on their knees, then said their “short” prayers before going to bed.
In 1948 Jerry graduated High School from St. Joseph Academy in O’Conner, Nebraska at the age of 17, with a graduating class of five. In January 1951, Jerry joined and served the Air Force for 4 years, but “never saw any action”- He thought it was the rosary and prayers that likely saved him!
Jerry met Margaret “Marge” Tesnohlidek at a Catholics group ski trip in Colorado. The two were immediately in love with each other and engaged within only 3 months! Four months after their engagement they were married and had three children, Kevin, Jeff and Stephanie.
After serving our country for 4 years in the Air Force, Jerry’s work life was always based around construction. He worked for the Nebraska State Department of Roads, Parks Construction Company, with his final stop and majority being spent at RD Blue Pavings and Utility Company as a Project Cost Estimator. He was very sharp and smart and his math skills served him well.
Jerry enjoyed visiting family in Greeley, St. Paul and Grand Island. Jerry loved his family with his whole heart and soul – that is what was most important in his life. He loved watching sports…Husker football, Husker volleyball, Creighton basketball, baseball and golf. He enjoyed golfing, pheasant hunting, reading the daily newspaper and staying current on the news.
Grandkids, Kit and Bria, were welcomed into the family in 2003 and 2005. Jerry and Marge loved babysitting the kids in the early years. Jerry felt that was the best job he ever had!
Jerry was loved by all; caring, patient, kind, gentle and joyful. He was an anchor to his family and extended family. He knew no strangers, and he became a friend to anyone he met. He had a great sense of humor and great wit.
Recently dementia and Alzheimer’s took their toll on Jerry. In spite of this, Jerry still always had a smile on his face, and he was happy to see and strike up a conversation. Jerry will always be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, caring father and proud grandfather – His great smile and the twinkle in his eyes will be dearly missed.
2 Comments
Sending my sympathy on the loss of your Dad. He was so lucky to have a daughter like you who cared for him until the very end. Thinking of you and your family as you say these hard goodbyes.
Sending my love to you all. I know my grandfather George Gannon always enjoyed talking to Jerry on the phone and sharing memories together. I’m so sorry for the loss of Jerry I know he was loved by many.
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