Kerry Jane Jaspersen

Kerry Jaspersen of Montevideo died on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at CCM Health in Montevideo at the age of 62.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Pastor Jeff Fitzkappes will officiate and burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Kerry Jane Jaspersen was born on November 5, 1963, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to George and Sandy (Gulbranson) Thelen. During her childhood, her family lived in several locations throughout Minnesota before settling in Montevideo in 1971, when Kerry was in the third grade. She attended Sibley and Sanford Elementary Schools. Kerry was fortunate to be a part of and graduate from the best class that graduated from Montevideo High School, the class of 1981.

Following high school, Kerry attended the College of Saint Benedict before transferring to Moorhead State University, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education.

On August 3, 1985, Kerry married her high school sweetheart, Mark Jaspersen. Together, they began their life in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Kerry taught sixth grade. They later lived in Ames and Waterloo, Iowa, where she worked at a day activity center and the Northern Iowa Museum. The couple then moved to Breckenridge, Minnesota, where Kerry taught at Campbell-Tintah School and later physical education at St. John’s School in Wahpeton, North Dakota. In 1992, Kerry and Mark returned to their hometown of Montevideo, where she devoted herself to raising their two sons.

Throughout her life, Kerry remained deeply committed to education, holding various roles in Montevideo, including teaching preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church and working at Ramsey Elementary School. Her kind and caring nature made a lasting impact on both students and colleagues.

Kerry was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo, where she served as president of the congregation, taught Sunday School, played in the New Life Band, and contributed to numerous boards and committees. She was also a longtime member of the Montevideo Community Band. Volunteering was a cornerstone of Kerry’s life, and she gave back to her community in many meaningful ways, including serving as a founding board member of the Chippewa Valley Youth Club.

In her free time, Kerry enjoyed spending time with her birthday club and Club Fun friends. She could often be found on the golf course on Tuesday afternoons, where socializing was just as important as the game. Kerry and Mark shared a love of concerts and traveling together. Above all, her greatest joy was her family—especially her grandchildren, Taya, Makena, and Jacoby. She cherished every opportunity to spend time with them, whether it was after school, swimming, or simply playing games together.

Kerry is survived by her loving husband, Mark; her children: Nolan (Jenna) and Isaac, Montevideo; her three cherished grandchildren: Taya, Makena, and Jacoby Jaspersen; her parents: George and Sandy Thelen, Park Rapids, MN; her sisters: Michelle Thelen, Twin Cities and Kelly Janssen, Park Rapids; her niece, Kady (Christian) Hagen; her nephews: Aaron Janssen and Leighton Janssen; and many dear friends who will miss her deeply.