Jerri Lou Loudin

Jerri Lou (Martz) Loudin, age 58, passed away at her home unexpectedly of natural causes, on Monday, May 7, 2018. Jerri was born in Ravenna at the Robinson Memorial Hospital to Fred and Gertrude (Douthitt) Martz on February 2, 1960; she has a twin sister Terri, and always reminded her who the "good sister" was; and yes, she was born on Groundhogs Day and will always be her husband Jerrys "favorite groundhog." She was a proud graduate of Waterloo High School in Atwater with the class of 1978. Jerri was a cheerleader throughout high school and played clarinet in the marching and concert bands. She also played intramural girls basketball and summer softball. She was an excellent student and would tell you that she loved her time in high school with the great staff and her friends. She was a Viking to the very core. After high school, Jerri went to work with her mother and twin sister for a father-son dental practice, Drs. John and John Randall Crawford in Alliance; they were more than employers, they are life-long friends. She worked full-time until 1985 until she and Jerry began having their family. She did work part-time through 1987 and then became exactly what she always wanted to be, a stay at home, full-time wife and mom. She would return to work at Waterloo Schools once her children were in middle and high school. She worked for about five years as secretary for the Guidance Counselor and School Psychologist, but then returned to her favorite place as being a homemaker. While her children grew, Jerri was always near. She volunteered at the school in various capacities including annual fun runs, youth girls and boys basketball, concession stands, field days, PTO treasurer and secretary, classroom and office aid, clinic, or wherever else she could help out. When her children were in high school, she was a member and officer in the Band Boosters. She made many band trips with band directors: Ray Harcar, Mike Foster, and John Roebke along with her sidekicks, Deb Heppe and Mark Lattimer; where the adults had more fun, or at least as much fun as the students. Jerri coached softball and baseball during the summer for Atwater Youth Leagues. She even coached a couple seasons with her husband Jerry; though husband and wife coaching isnt highly recommended, they survived. Through all the sporting events, twirling lessons, and band shows, Jerri was right there with her kids. She was proud to be a member of the Atwater United Methodist Church all of her life. She made certain that her family was in church, and that her children were active in the youth group. Jerri had so many fond memories of her own youth group with Bonnie Hutchison that she wanted to make sure that her kids had the same experiences with Mary Kay (Tymcio) King at the lead. Jerris pride and joy were her children and grandchildren, and she would tell you that they were her greatest accomplishment. She had so much love to give and nothing was more important to her. She loved being "Grammie". Children, grandchildren, family, and friends were always welcome at her house. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jerry, whom she married on May 15, 1982 at the Atwater UMC; three children: Katie Ann (Nathan) Leigh, Adam (April) Loudin, and Jenna Loudin; grandchildren: Makenna Ann, Jackson Thomas, and Hudson James Leigh, and Tucker Bradley Loudin; parents, Fred and Gertrude Martz; a brother, Kevin (Liliana) Martz, and her sisters Deborah Martz and Terri (Lee) Horning; as well as her mother-in-law Gretchen Loudin. Jerri and Jerry had identical twin boys that were born premature and passed away in 1984, the Good News is, that she is already able to hold them in Heaven. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents: John and Sarah Martz and Tony and Eva Douthitt, her father-in-law, Gerald Loudin, as well as many other aunts, uncles, and friends who will be glad to see her. Friends will be received at the Atwater United Methodist Church, 6380 Waterloo Rd., Atwater on Friday, from 5-8PM; where services will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 10:30AM (additional parking for the services is available at the LifePointe Church on Waterloo Rd.). Burial will take place at the Atwater Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the American Diabetes Assoc. at www.diabetes.org/match, or to Parkinsons disease Research.