Jeri was a fabulous woman whose acquaintance I treasured. During the years we taught Sunday school, acted in plays, and shared lives among our families, she exhibited her ever-cheerful personality, her talented creativity and artistry, and her thoughtful kindness where she would extend loving aid, oftentimes concealing that she was doing so. I know that this is a time of shock and sorrow. I wish that I could offer Greg, Greg, and Grace, the quality of precious care and concern that she gave unto Lindy and me. I sympathize in grief with you.

Jeri Stasa Huseth

March 17, 1954- June 8, 2020

Jeri was born March 17, 1954 to Frank Stasa and Frances Niko Stasa. She was raised on a farm in Ashley, MI and by the shore of Rainbow Lake in Maple Rapids, MI.

Both cheerleader and valedictorian, Jeri graduated from Fulton High School and went on to get degree in Education at Central Michigan University.

Hearing a call to move south, she relocated herself to Beaufort, SC where she taught at Lady’s Island Elementary and worked at Social Services. On the steps of First Baptist Church of Beaufort she met Greg Huseth and later joyfully joined him down the steps as husband and wife on February 26, 1983. The newlyweds moved to Orangeburg, SC and later Atlanta, where Jeri continued teaching elementary students.

In January 1990, Jeri and Greg became parents to Greg Jr. Fulfilling her desire to be a full time mother and full time teacher, Jeri homeschooled both her children Greg Jr. and Grace from kindergarten through middle school.

Jeri’s faith grew strong since her introduction to Christ in Beaufort. She learned alongside her Sunday School students for years, guiding all manner of children, including her own, to Christ. Keeping a child-like faith and element of fun, she created a puppet stage, acted in a theatre troupe, and led 5th graders at Mountain Park First Baptist Church.

Never hesitating to roll up her sleeves, and never asking to help, simply acting, Jeri offered her time at numerous places. She always took initiative to care for her neighbors, offering rides and assistance and even sparked a petition to get speed bumps on our hilly street in Stone Mountain.

Always energetic, Jeri got a “turbo charger” after a major open heart surgery in 2006. She would speed walk and run around Stone Mountain Park and turned cartwheels on the beach. Just like Rumplestiltskin spun straw into gold, Jeri sewed fabric into quilts, gifts and most famously, pillowcases.

Jeri would never let anything steal her joy and continued to focus on hope when diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in May 2017. She served many “eviction notices” to the cancer through chemo treatments and continued her active lifestyle. Her caregivers at Piedmont Hospital were astonished by her joy throughout the process and celebration of many milestones while in care.

The family grew with the addition of a daughter-in-law Kori in September 2017 and son-in-law Sam in May 2020. With the announcement of a grandchild on the way in June 2019, Jeri was certain she wanted to be close to the baby. She and Greg were led to a house in Pooler, a block from the grandbaby, and she threw herself into renovating their new home to include a Chipmunk themed bedroom and caring for baby Solomon, earning the esteemed title Grandma Loud.

In her last months, she and Greg would spend their days reminiscing in Beaufort and hosting Sunday lunches for the whole family. In a miraculous feat of will, she attended Grace and Sam’s wedding on May 3. She passed at home on June 8 under the guidance of Hospice Savannah and under the care of her loved ones.

Jeri never knew a stranger. She is now rejoicing in glory where there are no strangers.

Mrs. Jeri was my second mother growing up who always made me feel loved. She made monkey bread whenever I stayed over and just went out of her way to treat me like one of her own. I will never forget the time she made homemade gingerbread and cut it out so that we could make 5 gingerbread houses at the age of 15. She sent me a card when I was terribly awkward and made fun of in middle school, reminding me that everything is made beautiful in His time. My heart breaks at the loss of her, but I know she’s rejoicing with Jesus. All of my prayers, love, and hugs are with you Huseth’s.

Claire and Eric join me in offering our sympathy to your family on the death of your wonderful mother. We remember fondly all the happy times we had together riding to Master’s Academy and doing all our homeschooling things! What fun those days were. She also introduced us to your French neighbors, Laurence and Fred, who remain friends though they moved back to France years ago. Her courageous battle with cancer is an inspiration to us all. I am so glad she got to enjoy her grandson and attend Grace’s wedding. She is looking down on us now in peace and joy. God bless you all.

I was a saxophone player, and drum major in high school. I had many great times with Jeri as 2nd chair Saxophone and with her as a majorette and cheerleader. I also played basketball. She was a fantastic person and sweet as could be from the time I met her in the 7th grade.

I know she is in a better place and I know she will be missed but the memory of her will live on. I am sorry for your loss but Praise the Lord she is leaving a wonderful testimony. I will be keeping all of you in my prayers.

I remember Jeri from our school years at Fulton High School. We were both Alto saxaphone player in our H.S. band. She was 1st chair and a very accomplished sax player. Her sax playing was beautiful. Jeri was a very sweet friend that always seemed to enjoy life fully. We had lots of fun in our music sessions. I’m sure Heaven has a special place for such a sweet person. It’s been many years since I’ve seen you but you left me with fond memories.

So sorry for your loss. I remember Jeri teaching me how to teach and engaging Bible story to kids. She was amazing.

Greg,
So sorry to hear of Jeri’s passing. I’m sure heaven is a lot more lively, and louder, with Jeri and Jan together again. They enjoyed their times together for talking, sharing and laughing. I really appreciated Jeri’s care and concern for Jan, and the rest of our family, during her sickness and passing. You could not ask for a better friend and encourager than Jeri.

Thanks for sharing Jeri with us during all these years.

You and your family are in our prayers.

I recently paid tribute to Jeri on my Facebook page. Here is a slightly revised version of that.

Precious…

For the last 45 years I have been blessed to be part of a most cherished friendship with Jeri Huseth: my kindred spirit, my encourager, my faith-walk companion: my sister of the heart.

All that we shared over those years… I never took any of it for granted, but instead marveled, as did she, that we could live so far apart (she in Georgia and I in Michigan) and still know what the other was thinking, or more astoundingly, what the other might be needing! What seemed to be perfectly timed and selected phone calls, gifts, messages and notes, and just plain ol’ moments of serendipity, caused us to realize how special our bond was, and we praised God for the incredible blessing he had bestowed on us.

Her talents and creativity turned up in all areas of her life, and in my opinion, were “off the charts!” And her joy of that life – her exuberance, delight, and amusement – all were SO infectious and so endearing. You just felt extremely content to be in her care and company.

She was precious.

But amazingly – to me of wobbly self-confidence – that’s how she saw me! Rarely was there a letter, text, or phone chat in which she addressed me by my first name. Rather, she called me ‘Precious’ and I will miss that so much!

Thank you, Lord, for the ways you kept crossing our paths back in the 1970’s at CMU and during our early teaching years to solidify the fact we MUST be present in each other’s lives for all time, and through eternity, too. (Heaven must be ringing with your laughter as we speak!)

To Jeri’s beautiful family: May the Lord wrap you and your family in His loving embrace and give you peace.