Harold E. Jerde, 94, of South Elgin, Illinois, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Alden Village Ridge Rehab and  Health Care Center in Bloomingdale, Illinois.

He was born May 1, 1932, in DeKalb, Illinois, the son of Clifford and Carrie (Halverson) Jerde.

Harold was a Veteran of the US Air Force. He was self employed in construction and excavating for most of his life, but his real love was the mission trips he took and the people he met and witnessed to along the way. Harold took over 50 mission trips and wrote a book documenting his experiences titles My life as a Sidekick to Hero’s. His doctor said he had “ nine lives,” but we believed he stayed around to save ­souls.

He is survived by his children, Dan (Donna) Jerde of Gladstone, Missouri, Debbie (John) Smith of Charleston, Illinois, and Darin (Janet) Jerde of Centennial, Colorado; his grandchildren, Danielle (Pavil) Cherian of Chicago, Allison (Andrew Yonke) Ohlander of Wheaton and Natalie (Adam) Drake of Charleston, Illinois, Eric (Ashley) Jerde of St. Louis, Missouri, Krista (Tyler) Hughes of Kansas City, Missouri, Hanna Jerde and Elsa Jerde of Centennial, Colorado; his great-grandchildren, Marek Cherian, Lukas Cherian, Mila Cherian, Cora Ohlander, Erin Ohlander, Gabe Ohlander, Noa Eager, Wesley Drake, Barrett Hughes, Tripp Hughes and Eva Jerde; his siblings, Marilyn Mathison, Carmen Osland, Paul Jerde and Dean Jerde; his special friend Vivian Fezzuoglio; and soon to be born Nell Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carol; his parents Clifford and Carrie; his sisters Carol Rumpf and Marvelle Beard.

The Memorial Service will be held at  10:30 a.m.  Saturday, May 16, 2026, Christ Community Church, 820 S Randall Road, St. Charles/South Elgin, Illinois. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at 10:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity to be determined by the family at a later date.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.