Gerrel Jeanette Shepherd Knudson

Gerrel Jeanette Shepherd was born on November 28, 1940 in Tulare, CA to Isabel Victoria Cameron and Elvin Jones (E.J.) Shepherd. She came home to her older brother, Jim, who adored her and was responsible for her unique name, due to the fact that he was hoping for a baby “gerrel”, which was how he said “girl”.

Gerrel loved growing up in Tulare. She enjoyed dolls, dressing up, camping, and campfire girls. She had wonderful memories of many camping trips to Sequoia National Park with family, cousins, and friends. As a teen, she started taking baton and dance lessons, and fell in love with both. One of the highlights of her life occurred while she was attending Tulare Union High School. She got to march with the band as a majorette at President Eisenhower’s 2nd inaugural parade in Washington DC.

She attended College of the Sequoias and graduated with a degree in Home Economics from California State Polytechnic College (Cal Poly). While at Cal Poly, she investigated and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a turning point in her life.

She met Burt Knudson and they were married in the Los Angeles temple on December 16, 1961. They were later blessed with three beautiful children, David Jarl, Cheryl Janine, And Bryce Erik. In 1975, they moved to Boise, ID where she spent the next 38 years. She put her homemaking skills to good use teaching Jr High Home Economics and serving as a homemaking counselor and leader at church many times. She loved cooking, sewing and taking care of her family above all else. Gerrel was gentle and kindhearted, and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

After kids left for college, she served a mission in the Salt Lake City Family History Center, which was a wonderful experience including many new friends. She went back to school in Idaho, then went to work for Boise State University in their continuing education department. After retiring, she moved to Arizona where she thoroughly enjoyed Sunday dinners and holidays with family, as well as many grandkid’s activities. She endured a long battle with Alzheimer’s that began around the end of 2016. She passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024 at the age of 83.

Gerrel is preceded in death by her mother Isabel, father E.J., brother Jim, and son David. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Kent) Warner, son Bryce, six grandchildren, and soon to be nine great grandchildren. We love her dearly, miss her so much, and look forward to being reunited with her someday!