Walter Erwin Jerde

Walter Erwin Jerde was born to Olaf and Julie Jerde on Feb. 19, 1918 in Volga, South Dakota, and passed away Sept. 4, 2009 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.

Walt leaves behind his beloved wife, Ruth; children John Jerde, Elmira Mossman, Charles Jerde, Judy Hartley, Starr Mellen, Jim Jerde and Jonathan Jerde; step-children Bob Christensen, Dr. Ron Christensen, James Christensen, and Susan Christensen; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Walt served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, and finalized his service in Iwo Jima during World War II.

He moved to Alaska in 1948 and worked in construction. He was on the Greater Anchorage Area Borough Assembly in Anchorage and served as the vice president. He also served on the Bartlett Democratic Club as president.

He served as governor of all Toastmasters Clubs in Alaska for two and a half consecutive terms in Anchorage.

In 1964 he was superintendent of maintenance at the Anchorage Airport during the earthquake. He worked for the city of Anchorage as code enforcement officer and later for RCA in quality control, from which he retired in 1985.

He was very active in Lions Clubs, and was president of Anchorage Lions Club office, and deputy district governor and zone chairman of District “A” Lions, as well as an officer in District “B” and a lifetime member of the Palmer Lions Club.

He also belonged to the Loyal Order of Moose from 1955 through 1985 and had been governor of the Anchorage Moose. He was a member of the A&FM Iditarod Lodge #20, and a member of the La Luz Lodge in San José, Costa Rica. He was a Shriner of the Scottish Rite. He was also a member of the American Legion — Wasilla Post 35, and was secretary of the United Fund in Anchorage.

Services were held at Funeraria Polini in San José, Costa Rica on Sept. 9 with burial in the Cementario de Extranjeros.