Jacqueline Kerr
December 28, 1988 ~ June 22, 2016
Jacqueline Edith Kerr, 27, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics surrounded by her family. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday, June 27, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Father John R. Flaherty. Visitation: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the church with a vigil service and sharing of memories at 1:30. Burial: St. John's Cemetery, Lisbon. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
Survivors include her parents, Mark and Peg Kerr of Mt. Vernon; sister, Lindsey (Jeremy) Hotz of Mechanicsville, and brother, Chris (Maddie) Kerr of Bloomington, Minnesota; nieces and nephew, Lilly, Tucker and Holly Hotz; and her aunts, uncles, cousins, and cherished friends.
Jackie was born December 28, 1988, in Mason City, to Mark and Peg (Ward) Kerr. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2007, then from the University of Dubuque in 2012. She was a third grade teacher at Grant Wood Elementary in Iowa City. A scriptural passage states: 'For as he thinks within himself, so he is.' Jackie always thought of others first, and her heart was open and receptive to her students ' she was a kid magnet whose students loved her and she loved them.
Jackie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald and Dorothy Ward, John and Jean Kerr; and cousin, Donnie Shahan.
Jackie will be remembered for her kind and happy heart, her enthusiastic and fearless approach to life, and a smile that lit up the room.
Memorials may be directed to Jackie's family.
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From the Thursday Night Golf League we send out our deepest thoughts and prayers to the Kerr Family.
So sorry,prayers and thoughts are with you.
Vern & Sam Edson send our deepest sympathies and prayers to the Kerr family.
Sending our deepest sympathy, and prayers for comfort and strength to the Kerr family. Randy & Jo Harman
Our family was shocked and saddened to hear of Jackie’s passing. Ms. Kerr was Brody’s teacher in 1st grade and he has adored her ever since. She made such an impact on Brody’s young life and has been such a positive influence in our lives. It always brightened our day whenever we ran into her in the hallways, or even in public, how she would remember all of us and even check in with Brody’s younger brother. Jackie truly made a lasting impression on our family with her positive attitude, personality and overall joy for children. She will be missed so, so much! Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kerr family during this incredibly sad time.
Our deepest love and sympathy,
Ryan, Tiffany, Brody and Andrew Elgin
You have our sympathy; may God provide you with strength and comfort
So very sorry, we have all of you in our prayers! Rex and Iris Cook
We are so very sorry to read this. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kerr family.
So very sorry for your loss. Jackie always had a smile on when she was at the club. I can’t imagine your pain. Know that many prayers are being sent to your family.
Mike Pam Caldwell
Such a kind, beautiful young women. Always thoughtful. I’ll always remember her flute talent as well as her loving personality. She was a role model for those younger than her and dare I say for those of us who are supposed to be adults. Rest in peace Jackie. You touched so many that you don’t even know.
We are so sorry for your loss, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I pray for the embraces you will receive from the angels in this wonderful community will help feels God’s love during this time
Words cannot express how sorry we are to hear of Jackie’s passing. Know that we are thinking of all of you and praying that God gives you strength.
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. She was a wonderful young woman who will be sorely missed by the whole community.
It only took meeting Jackie to know what a good and special person she was . Truly one of God’s special gifts. To the Kerr family , you are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.
she was the sweetest person I’ve ever met in high school really good person good personality!
For the last 17 years, I have hoped that there was indeed a Heaven for my Brian, 22, to enter, in 1999. Like Jacqueline, he lost the battle with a demon. And I now hope that for Jackie, as I have for all taken so needlessly, and so early, there is indeed a Heaven she so richly deserves.
This message comes from the back yard of The National Golf Links of America. It is rivaled by only Saddleback and Kerrnoustie. Well. There is also Shinnecock. But what good is a golf course, if you can not play it.
For all of us left behind, we have no choice but to ‘keep on keepin on.’ Time can not heal this wound, but it does somehow dull the pain.
You have my deepest sympathy.
Fred Conklin
I was so sad to hear of Jackies passing. I worked with her for a short time during the holidays at Younker’s while she was in college. I always looked forward to getting to work with Jackie because she never failed to find humor even in those days when we were overwhelmed by shoppers, coupons and tons of clothes to be put away. I never forgot her hearty laugh or sweet spirit. She always talked about her family, she really admired and loved you all. The fact she had an impact on me in just the short time we worked together really shows what an amazing woman she was. Kris Engling
Oh that girl….how her light shined so brightly. On everyone she met. She radiated joy and I’ll carry that lesson with me forever. Wish I could ease your pain but instead we’ll carry it with you and pray. Much love,
The Lengwin family
So very sorry to learn of the loss of a wonderful young woman….taken too soon. I remember her so well as a child coming to play with Kate…..happy and cheerful. And a wonderful greeting when she saw me when she was older and recognized me. Thinking so much of the family….sincerely Chris Lawler
Was very sad to hear of Jacqueline’s illness and death. She was a friend of my son and she stopped in to chat with me while riding RAGBRAI through Titonka. What a lovely, young woman. We connected on Instagram and you could tell what was most important to her: her family, friends and all the beauty around her. May you find comfort through faith in the days ahead.
I have no words to describe my overwhelming sadness. I will simply always remember the dear sweet, and fun little girl that warmed our hearts with her special joy. Wonderful memories of the friendship she and my daughter Kate shared. God bless this angle who touched our lives. Michele Mulvehill
She was such a wonderful person and a fantastic teacher. It is so sad to hear of her passing. She will be greatly missed.
I did not know Jacqueline, however, two young boys who were her students have told me much about her. Both boys are immigrants from Africa and belong to my son’s soccer club. This summer I have been picking them up nightly to come over to a local park to kick around in the evening. These last several days they have talked about Miss Kerr and their sadness over her death. Both said that she was the nicest teacher they ever had and how much she seemed to care for them. Yesterday, one of the boys said, “I think she was trying to tell us something the last time we saw her.” Though his English is perfectly good, he could not describe what it was. He said, “She told us to be good and do well in school and that she was proud of us.” They both said they thought she was to young to die . I said, “I think it would mean a lot to Miss Kerr for you to do your best in school . I think that would make her very happy and it would let her know that she made a difference to you.” They agreed. Yes, one of them said, “Maybe she will know that we are doing well from up in heaven.” Then we were all quiet for a long time.
Though I did not know Miss Kerr, I want her family to know that she made a difference to these two wonderful boys who face many challenges. They will do great things with their lives.
Hope all is well in your new life, although I knew you sister quite well, still remember you and how lovely and full of grace you were. Peace be with you, Chauncey and Tiffany Snodgress