Obituary

Geraldine "Jeri" Gunulfsen

September 7, 1946 - October 11, 2024

Geraldine “Jeri” Gunulfsen passed peacefully on October 11, 2024, following a long battle with cancer at the age of 78.

Jeri, the daughter of Wilbur D. and Anne (Troxclair) Purdy, was preceded in death by her husband Eugene “Gene” Gunulfsen in November of 2022 and her sister, Patricia Purdy. 

She is survived by her brother, Robert Purdy (Renee) of CT and she was a loving mother to 4 children Kimberly Stewart (Natasha Eberly) of Mandeville, LA, Bryan Stewart (Meg Stewart) of Hattiesburg, MS, Amy Stewart (Paul Corbett) of Ponchatoula, LA and Melissa Ross (John Ross) of Mobile, AL. Jeri had 13 grandchildren: Tannye Stewart, Cassidy St Pierre (Caleb St. Pierre) Addyson Stewart, Macaleigh Mancuso, Maddie Hylander, Meredith Hylander, Lucinda Eberly, Griffin Eberly, Eliot Eberly, Olivia Ross, Aaron Corbett, Carven Corbett, Elizabeth Corbett, and one great grandchild, Cori Grace St. Pierre.

Jeri was born in New Orleans, attended Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of New Orleans where she received her undergraduate degrees and a Masters in Education. She was a teacher of English and History at Bogalusa High School for more than 40 years and retired in 2022. Jeri dedicated her life to the students in her community and touched the lives of thousands within the Bogalusa City School System. During her career as an educator, she strived every day to provide each student with the academic skills needed to take them through life into a successful future. Jeri was the recipient of multiple teaching honors and awards at both state and local levels and her presence will be sadly missed.

Services will be on October 15, 2024 at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Public Viewing will be from 10:00 AM until the Funeral Service at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at W.W. Breland Cemetery in Pine, Louisiana.