Gerald “Gerry” Lee Hardersen, of Durham, North Carolina, unexpectedly died on June 13, 2024 after becoming ill during travel to Texas.

Gerry was born in Des Moines, Iowa on February 21, 1945 to Alvin August Hardersen and Irene Vivian Waldner Hardersen. He was a proud alumnus of North High School (where he excelled at wrestling and track and field) and enjoyed returning to Des Moines for class reunions, celebrating his 60th high school reunion last year. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army where he proudly served our country in Germany as a nuclear weapons specialist. Returning from Germany, he finished his education at Drake University in Des Moines, courtesy of the G.I. bill, and began a career in finance and accounting in Iowa and then Minnesota. Most of his professional career was spent as a controller with Northern Telecom/Nortel, which relocated him and his family to Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and then, finally, to Raleigh, North Carolina. (He would want you to know that Nortel didn’t go bankrupt until after he retired.) After retiring from Nortel, he was asked to temporarily do some accounting work in the non-profit sector with MDC in Durham. His “temporary” work lasted eight years, and Gerry found satisfaction in being part of the meaningful equity work of MDC until he ultimately retired (again).

Like most accountants, Gerry loved collecting data, making spreadsheets (anyone who has celebrated Thanksgiving with the Hardersens knows about the “Thanksgiving spreadsheet”), and getting a good deal. He had a bi-annual tradition of doing price comparisons on his frequently purchased items at the local grocery stores, confusing the employees when he was walking around the store with his clipboard. (He would also want you to know that, at his last check, Wegmans had the best grocery deals). Gerry was a meticulous organizer of family photos, a fitness enthusiast (going to the gym several times a week), a world traveler, a witty storyteller, and the ultimate practical joker. He was unusually enthusiastic about Walmart, and much to his wife’s dismay, he wanted to visit Walmarts during their travels, even in other countries.

But while Gerry was comically frugal in most aspects of his life, he was unendingly generous with his love and time when it came to his family. Gerry displayed his love in actions, not always words, and he forever showed up for the people he loved, especially his own “Gerry’s kids” and his grandchildren (to whom he was simply “G”). His children and grandchildren were his proudest life accomplishments. He valued education, problem solving, hard work, humor, and a firm handshake.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife and travel companion of almost 20 years, Sheryl Phillips Hardersen; his son, John (Carol) Turpen; daughters, Angela (Brandon) Keith, Katie (Daniel) King, and Christie (Paul) Giemza; stepsons, Michael (Olga Herrera) Sumner and David Sumner; and his grandchildren, Bailey Turpen, Brady Turpen, Riley (Debbie) Keith, Avery Keith, Bennett Keith, Leslie King, Laurel King, Corrie Giemza, Brooke Giemza, and Aidan Sumner. He is also survived by his big brother, Ron (Tammy) Hardersen; brothers-in-law, Dennis Thompson and Roger (Peggy) Thompson; sister-in-law, Becky Keebaugh; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends who were family.

Gerry is predeceased by his wife and the mother of his daughters, Dianne Thompson Hardersen; his parents; his stepmother, Naomi Hardersen; and his in-laws, Allen and Betty Thompson.

Gerry will be laid to rest next to Dianne in a private burial for immediate family. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, a celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at The Borden Building in Raleigh (820 Clay Street). The family invites visitors to stop by and honor Gerry’s fun-loving spirit any time during the hours of noon-3:00 p.m. and see some awkward family photos and share some stories and some of his favorite things: barbeque, music, cornhole, and objectively bad beer. Casual dress welcomed.

In remembrance of Gerry’s remarkable life and his important work with MDC (and in lieu of flowers), the family would be honored by donations to MDC (mdcinc.org).