Jeri Kaup, a longtime resident of Smith County who has lived in Hutchinson since 2000, died on January 16, 2008, in Hutchinson at the age of 83. Her given name was Geraldine Sadie Jessie Davis, born in Denver, Colorado on January 30, 1924 to Robert J. Davis and Mary Almeda (Johnson) Davis.

After graduating from Denver North High School in 1942, she worked as a telephone operator and for Gates Rubber Company in accounting. She and her parents then moved to Clearfield, Utah where she continued working in accounting at the Clearfield Naval Depot to contribute to the war effort.

She met her future husband, Raymond Eldon Kaup, while he was stationed in Golden, Colorado, with the U.S. Army. After he returned from serving in Europe during the war, they were united in marriage in Denver on February 11, 1946. Their strong and enduring marriage lasted until his death on August 8, 1977.

After marriage, Jeri and Raymond moved back to his home of Smith County, Kansas, to farm and raise their family. Jeri is survived by one daughter and four sons and their families.

Survivors include her daughter, Jan Seidl, and husband, Steve, of Hutchinson and four sons: Richard Kaup and his wife, Mary Jane, of Golden, Colorado, James Kaup and wife, Glenna, of Topeka, David Kaup and wife, Charlene, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Steven Kaup and wife, Julie, of Shawnee.

Jeri leaves 11 grandchildren: Brian Kaup, Anastasia Sims, Kathy Sims-Rogge, Kimberly Hernandez, Devin Brotzer, Hannah Kaup, Molly Kaup and Chris, Chad, Corey and Chuck Seidl. Jeri also leaves 13 great-grandchildren.

Jeri is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Harrison of Clinton, Utah, and her brother, Robert Davis of Clearfield, Utah. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, her lifelong friend Eileen Woodward of Denver and numerous special friends in Smith County and Hutchinson.

Jeri moved from the farm south of Smith Center in 1977 following Raymond's death and she continued working hard at a number of jobs to help support her family. Jeri enjoyed spending her time with longtime friends and her extended family. Because of health reasons, Jeri moved to Hutchinson in 2000 where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, and then resided at Dillon Living Center during her last year.

Despite the hardships she faced, Jeri still maintained a positive view of the world. She was kindhearted and gave most of her time and strength to her children and grandchildren, all of whom she cherished. Her love of family was reflected by her interest in genealogy and her thousands of family photographs. Her love of family is also reflected in the eyes of her loved ones who mourn her passing.

A visitation will be held Saturday, January 19, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main in Hutchinson with the family present from 3 to 5 p.m. Funeral service will be held Monday, January 21 at 11 a.m. at Simmons-Rentschler-Funeral home in Smith Center. Jeri will be buried next to her husband at Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, Kansas.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to, the Early Education Center in Hutchinson, or to the National Kidney Foundation.