It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of sweet Geraldine
Louise “Geri Lou” Jakubowski of Wesley Chapel, FL on September 6, 2023.
Geri Lou was born on July 21, 1941 to James Casper “Cap” and Geraldine “Gerry”
Louise Bernhard in St. Paul, MN. Along with her adoring parents, she grew up in a
loving home with her sister Pat and brother Jim. Geri maintained a very strong
bond with her siblings throughout her life.
Geri enjoyed sharing fond memories of her dear friends at Our Lady of Peace
(OLP) High School, where she graduated in 1959. A couple of years later she fell in
love and married Gerald “Jerry” Anderson in 1961. They had two children, son Rick,
and daughter Kathy, to complete their family. Jerry and Geri were doting parents
and raised their family in the suburbs of St. Paul.
Later they divorced and Geri married Stan Jakubowski. After several years in
Minnesota building businesses together and thoroughly enjoying cabin life, they
moved to Colorado where Geri opened her mail/packaging store. They eventually
moved back to Minnesota to become real estate agents and enjoy more cabin life.
Geri enjoyed traveling over the years, and went with Kathy to Las Vegas, Texas,
and San Diego a few times, including when son Rick finished boot camp for the
Marines. Other destinations included Las Vegas, Mexico several times, and Orlando
several times with the Carrenos. She and her siblings often traveled together, and
looked forward to exploring new fun destinations to spend time together along with
their respective spouses.
In 2010, Geri and Stan moved to Florida with Kathy and family to retire. For Geri,
retirement meant spending time at church, making greeting cards, and having just
as much fun as the grandkids at the amusement parks, water parks, cold water
springs, beaches, and celebrating the holidays ~ one of her favorite things to do.
Geri was known for her upbeat disposition, positivity, and optimistic approach
toward life. The joy in her heart was evident in everything she did and to everyone
she touched. She shined in social settings and her playful nature was infectious.
Geri was naturally creative and artistic, whether it was playing with grandchildren,
making greeting cards, decorating, or even setting a beautiful dinner table. To say
she went all out with Christmas decorations would be a colossal understatement!
And her creative personal style was classy and elegant.
She was intelligent, hard working, and strong willed. She valued truth and logic, and
stood strong to be an independent and critical thinker. She openly shared her
thoughts and convictions but always did so respectfully.
Her strongest conviction was her faith in Jesus Christ which never waivered. She
was active at Garden Grove Baptist Church where she felt a sense of comfort and
belonging. She developed a close relationship with “Pastor James” Caskey and
several other dear friends at the church.
Geri Lou was fervently loyal and devoted to her family. She was a loving wife and
mother. She had many roles in her lifetime but her absolute favorite was that of
grandmother. Her dedication to her grandchildren was glowingly obvious. She had
all the time in the world for them and showered them with love and affection. She
leaves a legacy of love, dedication, kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, generosity,
silliness, and laughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents Cap and Gerry Bernhard, husband Jerry
Anderson (1961 – 1982), brother Jim Bernhard, husband Stan Jakubowski (1983-),
and stepson Danny Jakubowski.
Geri is survived by and will be dearly missed by daughter Kathy (Santiago) Carreno,
son Rick (Sarah) Anderson, and grandchildren Santiago, Kali, and Diego Carreno,
and Abraham (Melissa), Ashley, and Adam Anderson. She is also survived by sister
Pat Goodwill, stepchildren Greg Jakubowski, Pam (Tim) Watters, Brenda (Todd)
Johnson, and Rhonda (Tom) Dooley, extended family, and many dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lexington Park, Park Building Community Room,
2131 Lexington Avenue North, Roseville MN 55113 on Thursday, Nov. 16 with an
open house/visitation from 3:30 to 6:30pm with group sharing and remembrance.
It is with great sadness that I write this! Geri and her entire family were dear and close friends of my family growing up. Kathy, Rick and I coined the term “HOLY DIN”. We got together often while my family lived in Blaine and remained close until everyone “grew up” and went off to college, the Marines, and points over the country! We still got together as often as possible. I recall “racing” Stan on Gunflint with my dad’s boat as Stan and my dad smiled as they beat me in their vehicle- Stan’s float plane!
Geri made me smile- her smile was indeed infectious. Her laugh contagious. She was extremely fun and loving. God has welcomed an angel into heaven!
May God comfort Rick, Kathy and their families.
Steve Meister