Jennifer Ann Bechtel, 45, of Holton, KS passed away Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Stormont Vail. She was born April 12, 1973 in Burlington, IA, the daughter of Frederick L. Gerdom and Melodee Cooper Kennedy.

Jennifer graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1991in Mediapolis, IA; she was Valedictorian and received the Presidential Scholarship to attend Iowa Wesleyan College. She later earned her Paramedic License at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA. Jennifer later continued her medical career by becoming a registered nurse in 2006.

Jennifer worked for Jackson and Johnson County EMS as an EMT and Paramedic. She worked for Atchison Hospital and later for Stormont Vail Hospital as an ER Nurse.

She was a member of United Methodist Church in Mediapolis, IA.

Jennifer was a talented musician and singer. She enjoyed sci-fi movies, cooking, animals, politics and most importantly her family.

She married Jimmie D. Bechtel on August 30, 2003 in Sperry, IA; they celebrated 15 years of marriage.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmie of the home; mother, Melodee Kennedy of Burlington, IA; son, Jacob Hess (Tamara Drinkard) of Holton, KS; daughter, Hannah Bechtel of the home; 2 sisters, Alisha Smith (Justin) of Kansas City, MO and Denette Walsh (Pat) of Denver, CO; 2 brothers, Jeff Gerdom (Nicole) of Mediapolis, IA and Dane Kennedy of Austin, TX and 2 nieces and 1 nephew.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick Gerdom; step-father, Dennis Kennedy, and maternal grandparents, Wesley and Madeline Cooper.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Friday morning. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hannah Bechtel's Educational Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. A memorial service will be at a later date in Iowa.