Geraldine DeLong

Geraldine "Jerri" (Meinecke) DeLong

Jerri peacefully passed on to her Heavenly Home on May 12, 2026, under Hospice care, at the age of 94.  She was born on October 4, 1931 in Cainsville, MO., the 4th child of 8, to Oral Franklin Meinecke and Helen Lois (Wood) Meinecke.  She was raised in a home with faith, love, music, and most of all, a lot of laughter. She met the young man, Howard DeLong, who would be her soul mate for 62 years when she was 15.  They were married on February 2, 1948, in Cainsville. They had 4 children, Reva Lynn in 1950, Billy Dale in 1952, Terri Jean in 1955, and Bonnie Sue in 1957.  They lost their son, Billy Dale, at 8 months in 1953 from an undetermined illness.  Even through the trama of losing an infant son, they managed to raise their family with faith, love, music and laughter, as well. 

She supported her husband, Howard, in all the moves that were needed to make a good living for the family.  Over the years they lived in St. Joseph and Kansas City, MO.; Minneapolis, MN.; Des Moines and Cedar Falls, IA.; Omaha, NE.; Topeka, KS.; and then back again to Omaha.  No matter where they lived, their priority was to find ways to show God's love, such as buying a meal for someone that needed it, opening their home to various brothers and sisters, as well as an occasional immigrant who had fled their war-torn country, providing transportation for others to get to church, sitting with out-of-state parents whose child is undergoing some life-saving surgery and taking the parents to do some shopping for necessities. 

Howard passed in 20210.  But before he passed, he taught Jerri well in money managing.  She received and advertisement from the Toyota dealer to come into see what free gift she may have won.  She decided she would stop on her way to get milk, but she didn't win anything "free".  At the age of 80, she drove off in a brand new 2012 Toyota Camry:  It was thereafter to as "the milk car".

Later in July of 2013, Jerri suffered another lost child when Bonnie passed on due to a massive sudden heart attack in North Carolina.  Jerri made the trip to North Carolina, but had her first A-fib episode there. 

Jerri's life has had some major ups and downs, but faith helped her through it all to see 94 years.  She always said her goal was to live as long as her Great Grandma Jane, who lived to 94 years & 9 months.  Jerri made it to 94 years & 7 months.  Almost, but not quite!!

Jerri is survived by Daughter's: Reva Grimm, Terri DeLong: Son-in-laws: Daryl Grimm, Denney Hisey; 6 Grandchildren: Zachariah, Billie (Randy, Joanna, Jessie, Tony, Elijah: 6 Great Grandchildren:  Sasha, Isabel, Deacon, Zander, Eden, Rya: and Sister Roberta Willis (youngest of 8).