Jessica Brandt

Jessica Berta Brandt

Age 97 of Gardner, and a recent resident of Heritage Health in Bloomington, passed away Thursday evening, August 17, 2017.

Born January 16, 1920 in Coal City, Jessica was a daughter of Joseph Berta, Jr. and Jessie (Faletti) Berta. She was raised and educated in Coal City, and graduated with the Coal City High School Class of 1938. On March 29, 1941, Jessica married her high school sweetheart Leroy Brandt in Burlington, Iowa. They both made their careers at Gardner-South Wilmington High School where she was employed as a secretary. While attending summer and evening classes at Illinois State University for many years, she graduated in 1968, and soon thereafter was hired as the librarian until her retirement in 1982.

Jessica was a member of Church of Hope in Gardner and the Grundy County Retired Teacher’s Association. She prided herself in her organizational skills, and at the age of 85 became computer literate, which greatly assisted her in the genealogical research that she leaves behind. Jessica had a love of flowers, and her enjoyment of music and dance was demonstrated on the dance floor with Leroy over the years past. She will be remembered for her love of family and cherished the opportunity to talk about her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters: Cathie (David) Huston of Gardner and Connie (Gary) Huston of Fairbury; three grandchildren: Joel (Esther) Huston of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jeremy (Stephanie) Huston of Brookfield, Wisconsin and Jon Huston (Steven Carroll) of Nyack, New York; (11) great grandchildren: Leah, Anna, Ellie, Miles, Dexter, Stella, Josie, Eve, Makenna, Thea and Jackson, and several nieces and nephews.

Jessica was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leroy; two brothers: Joseph (Evelyn) Berta III, and Bernard (Mardeen) Berta, and one sister Verna (Gordon) Palmberg.

Visitation will be held at Church of Hope, 202 North Monroe Street in Gardner on Sunday, August 27, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. until time of funeral service 3:00 p.m. Reverend Janet M. Chandler will officiate.

Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery, where Jessica will be laid to rest with her husband Leroy.

Pallbearers will be: Joel Huston, Jeremy Huston, Jon Huston, Steve Carroll and Robert Fulton.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jessica’s memory to Church of Hope, P.O. Box 248, Gardner, Illinois 60424.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Jessica’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 203 Liberty Street in Gardner. (815-237-2526)