Geraldine Beth Caldwell was born May 17, 1947, to Jack Keith Caldwell and Rebecca Beth Montgomery Caldwell in Independence, Missouri. At one year of age Jack, Becky and Gerri moved to Houston, Texas and then relocated to Pasadena, Texas. Gerri eventually became the big sister with the birth of Steven Keith in 1949, Mary Lynn in 1951, and Karen Marie in 1956.
Gerri began school at Golden Acres Elementary and later attended San Jacinta Jr. High and Pasadena High School. The family moved to Iowa in 1964 where Gerri attended Mt. Ayr Community High School.
Gerri was united in marriage to Alan Taylor. To this union two children were born, Jennifer Jo and Robert Darren.
In 1981 Gerri and the children moved to Colorado where they resided for several years, and during this time she met Raymond Uresk. She eventually moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where they were married. Gerri worked at a few different jobs before becoming employed at Tatooine Electronics, where she eventually retired from. Ray and Gerri moved back to Iowa in 2009 as they wanted to be around family. The Uresks celebrated 25 years of marriage before Ray passed away in 2015.
Gerri became caretaker for her mother for several years while Becky battled cancer. During this time, the Olney brothers, who were longtime friends and neighbors of the Caldwells, came to visit Becky. Here Joe and Gerri became reacquainted from childhood years and the rest shall we say, is history.
Gerri and Joe spent ten years living part time in Iowa and the winter months in warm Abbeville, Louisiana. They enjoyed traveling together. An especially memorable trip was traveling across Canada from Winnipeg to Vancouver Island and on to view the tulip gardens in Victoria, Canada. On the trip home they toured the Grand Canyon and visited numerous other sites across the states. Another special trip was to Honduras to the big island of Roatan where they spent two weeks experiencing the many aspects of the culture.
Gerri was especially proud of and doted on her great grandchildren. Whether it was cooking their favorite meals or taking them to the Allendale rodeo, she and Joe were always up for their antics and orneriness, even sitting on Domingo the bull for a laugh! She never missed a holiday or birthday phone call, with her serenading them as they grinned! Gerri always made sure to tell them how loved they were too.
Joe and Gerri thoroughly enjoyed life and laughter together and with family and friends. Joe could frequently be heard saying to Gerri in a loving manner, “Now Babe!” and she in turn would roll her eyes at him. Joe was a faithful and loving caretaker for Gerri during her years of cancer. Gerri enjoyed plants and flowers and had a special knack for knowing just the right methods to attract humming birds-many of them!
Gerri passed away at home with family by her side February 3, 2026, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray Uresk, son Robert Darren, parents Jack and Rebecca Caldwell, and sister Mary Caldwell.
She is survived by her best friend and companion Joe Olney; daughter Jennifer Baker; grandchildren David (Cari) Head, Nathan (Alta) Head, Nikki (Scott) Drake, Anthony (Jarisa) Kinsey, Brett (Raelynn) Taylor, Maisie (Melissa) Yeager, and Kylee Taylor; great-grandchildren Kasen and Rylan Head, Ellie Boswell, Hunter and Gunnar Head, Cheyenne and Montana Baker, Morgan Hunt, Newt Taylor, Aria Hunsucker, Kallie Taylor, and Mitus Kinsey. Surviving siblings are brother Steve (Janice) Caldwell and sister Karen (Randy) Taylor, the Olney family, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorials are to Redding United Methodist Church and EveryStep Hospice.
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