Geraldine "Jerre" Ebbesen

Geraldine (Jerre) Ebbesen died in her home at Lexington Landing in St Paul surrounded by family on October 18, 2025, at age 93. We miss her already, but know she is at peace.

Geraldine Golden (Jerre) was born on September 5, 1932 in Lake Crystal, MN, to Frances (Jacobson) and Gerald Golden. Jerre graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1951, and was a majorette with the marching band, and also rode her horse Roxy in parades along with her dad. She was married to Gunnar R. Ebbesen of Lake Crystal on July 19, 1952. She and Gunnar had 3 children, various pets, and many friends as they lived in eight different states over the years: MN, AL, ND, IA, MO, CO, KS, and OH. She had packing down to an art - and decorating each home with love She was an expert wall paper hanger! Jerre cared for her family and those around her, training to be a volunteer EMT in Broomfield, CO, and going on to become a Certified Surgical Technician in her early 40s. She worked as a surgical tech for 20 years until her retirement, a job she loved.

Jerre was an excellent seamstress, sewing for herself and her kids as they were growing up. She also loved singing soprano in church choirs, playing cribbage with friends and family, vacationing on the North Shore and in Grand Lake, CO, posting pictures of flowers on Facebook for others to enjoy, and she loved fishing. She enjoyed catching “sunnies” because they were fun, and even caught a halibut (and brought it on board by herself) on a trip to Alaska with her life-long friend, Barb Owens.

Jerre had “the Golden” sense of humor, and deep compassion for those in need of justice, dignity, and equality. She was a good friend, and made many over the years. She taught her children to care for others, and to give with generosity and grace. To say she loved her grandchildren is an understatement - she enjoyed weekends with them, teaching them to cook and bake Christmas cookies, playing cards, and spoiling them just a little bit!

Jerre is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gunnar Ebbesen, her sister and brother-in-law, Javne and Dale Haugen, sisters-in-law Mary Ruth (Ebbesen) Butler, and May Jean (Ebbesen) Evans, She is survived by her children, Rev. Julie Ebbesen, Brad (and wife Sandra Barnum) Ebbesen, Amy Ebbesen (and husband Zip Cotter), by her beloved grandchildren Nathan Ebbesen (and wife Tiffani), Ellie Ebbesen, and Mattie Ebbesen. She is also survived by brother-in-law Preben Ebbesen (Gail), and many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many dear friends and her rescue dog, Murphy.

In spite of her declining health, over the last years, she was a trouper. Her family is grateful for the compassionate care Jerre received from the Lexington Landing service staff, and the Optage Hospice team these last months.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 3:00pm at St Peder’s Lutheran Church, 4600 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and there will be a luncheon reception following the service. The service will be live-streamed on St Peder’s YouTube channel.

Interment will be held in the spring at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be be given to The Bond Between animal rescue or to a charity of your choosing.