Gerald "Jerry" Lee Jeppesen, 58, of Rexburg, died Thursday, December 24, 2009, at his home of natural causes. He was born February 12, 1951, in Rexburg, Idaho to Joseph Elmo and Wanda Althea Ard Jeppesen. He graduated from Madison High School and attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a Spanish speaking mission for the church in Colorado and New Mexico. He served in a bishopric at Ricks College, Sunday School teacher, home teacher and other callings. At the time of his death he was serving in the Rexburg Temple.

He married Rita Jane Holland on May 10, 1973, in the Manti LDS Temple. They lived and raised their family in the Rexburg area.

He farmed most of his life on the Rexburg Bench and in the Osgood area. He served two terms as a Madison County commissioner. He chaired the Madison County Republican Committee and was on the Soil Conservation District committee for many years. He and his father were Conservation Farmers of the years when they used a no-till drill planting system.

He loved to ski as a younger man. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and participated in both until the cold weather set in this fall. He loved being with his family and his friends. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the original Belle Cantos group at Madison High School. He liked to travel, especially to Alaska, and going on cruises to the Bahamas.

He is survived by his wife Rita of Rexburg; children, Kristi (Rob) Collins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Nathan (Ami) Jeppesen of Idaho Falls, Niki (Gary) Bagley of Rigby, Jessica Jeppesen of Idaho Falls, Matthew Jeppesen and Amanda Jeppesen of Rexburg; mother, Wanda Jeppesen of Rexburg; siblings, Darwin Jeppesen of Idaho Falls, Kyle (Brenda) Jeppesen of Rexburg, Ron (Phyllis) Jeppesen of Rigby, Connie Jeppesen of Rexburg; and twelve grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28 at the Rexburg Stonebridge LDS Chapel, 475 East 7th North. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Rexburg Cemetery.