Jeanne Alice Anne Gerdes

Jeanne Alice Anne Knepper was born on June 1, 1945 to Staff Sergeant Stephen William Knepper and Florence Claire Stillman Knepper at Dr. E. C. Hazard Hospital in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Jeanne was baptized July 8, 1945 as a Roman Catholic at Chapel Number 2, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Her Aunt Rose Marie Smith was her godmother. I believe my godfather was Charles Zigler who was a friend of my father.

At 5 months of age, Jeanne and her parents returned to their home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as World War II was over. They had no car and traveled by train in November of 1945 with Jeanne in a bassinet. Jeanne’s grandmother, Anna Donohue Knepper awaited their return to their home in their Homewood area of Pittsburgh on Bennet Street. Jeanne was Anna’s only granddaughter.

Jeanne and her parents moved to Penn Hills in 1951. In 1948 Grandma Anna had died and Jeanne’s brother William Knepper had been born in 1948.

Jeanne’s elementary education from 1st to 8th grade was especially enjoyed at St. Joseph School in Verona, Pennsylvania. She then attended Seneca Jr. High and Penn Hills Senior High School from 1959 until her graduation in June 1963. Jeanne then attended Goodwin Business school In Pittsburgh until May 1964.  Mellon national Bank & Trust Company in East Liberty (Pittsburgh ) was her first full-time employer from May 1964 until February 1971.

In April 1970 Jeanne married James Velicoff. Three children were born to them. They divorced in 1990.

Jeanne and Lloyd Gerdes were married September 27, 1997. Jeanne is survived by her husband Lloyd Gerdes, her brother William Knepper, daughter Janice C. Streckfus (Larry), son Joseph C. Velicoff, daughter Judith C. Towner (Andrew), stepdaughter Lisa K. Gerdes (Mark Ludes), stepson Michael L. Gerdes (Lori), grandchildren: Zoe Velicoff, Kayden Velicoff, Carmello Streckfus, Ava and Jake Towner, and step-grandchildren Claire and Jeffrey Ludes. Also survivors include niece Kellee Cueto of Miami, nephew Brian Knepper of Tallahassee, cousin Karen Skaliotis of Pahrump, NV, and cousin David Eifler of Pittsburgh.

Jeanne and Lloyd enjoyed many years together either working or enjoying their families. They retired to Naples, Florida in 2011. Jeanne loved all the children and grandchildren. She was an accomplished seamstress and thrived on baking and cooking. Other serious interests were gardening, reading and entertaining.

Services will be Friday, December 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Chapel in Fairbury followed by lunch. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel State Line Lutheran Cemetery at Wymore, NE. Memorials will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There will be visitation on Thursday evening from 6 – 8 at the funeral home. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.  www.gerdesmeyerfh.com