Edward (Woody) Jerdee, 76, of Lewiston, died Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at home, surrounded by family and friends after a brave battle fighting blood cancer.
Woody was born April 30, 1937, to Emil Jerdee and Flossie Irene Baker Jerdee of Cromwell Township, Minn. He grew up on the family farm surrounded by numerous siblings. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served from 1954-1957. After discharge he returned to Lake Park, Minn., and worked construction until he began his trucking career, which brought him to Idaho. He established E.L. Jerdee Trucking in 1974 and built his business to a successful dispatch for numerous leased trucks while still driving cross-country himself. He built a truck shop on the Old Spiral Highway that became a pit stop and social center for many truckers.
He married Susan Cartright and they had a daughter, Tammy, and a son, Terry. The marriage ended in divorce. He met Barbara Hudson in 1982 and they were married in 1984. With this union he inherited three children and became a "Bonus Dad."
Woody was a creative thinker who thought out of the box and could build or repair almost anything, often innovating parts as needed for the project. Rebuilding engines and restoring vehicles were specialties, but a family favorite was the converted cab from a tractor-trailer that he used as a top cover on his jet boat. It was easy to see him on the river! His proudest and most loved accomplishment was the cabin he and Barbara built above Dent Acres. They were a dynamic duo working side by side and he would often tell her "go ahead and take five, it will only take a minute." It started as a simple plan but grew to become a peaceful retreat where he could hop on his John Deere tractor and groom the grounds for hours at a time. They loved going to the mountains and spent as much time as possible there, making many new friends.
He loved his Chevys but was a man of principle and worried about the American economy, and would only buy a Ford product as they did not need a bailout.
Surviving him are Barbara at the family home; children Tammy Jerdee, Terry Jerdee, Ron (Michelle) Hudson, Diana (Chuck) Brown and Andrea (Kirk) Kinzer; grandchildren Brandon Jerdee, Marvin Jerdee, Abby Jerdee, Nick Jerdee, Michael Mullin, Randy Hudson, Dr. Erika Kinzer, Jeremy Kinzer, Brad Kinzer and Caitlin Brown; and siblings Edison Jerdee, Wanda (Harold) Christensen, Barbara Ronchette, Beverly Erickson and Shirley (Manuel) Todhunter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings June Walkup, Emil Jerdee and Eugene Jerdee; and brothers-in-law Jack Ronchette and Leroy Erickson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, with a celebration of life dinner following from 2 to 6 p.m. at his family home, 1704 Burrell Ave. Favorite side dishes will be welcomed.
The family wants to thank Dr. Shah and the nurses at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center who helped him during this difficult time. Thank you for all of the maple bars! In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to SJRMC Family Hospice so it can continue comforting families during these challenging times.
