HABERMEYER, Geraldine (Jerry)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, January 05, 2014 Geraldine "Jerry" Habermeyer went home to see Jesus on Dec. 28, 2013, at 2:15 a.m. Jerry moved to Prescott, Ariz., in 1994. Jerry was born Aug. 7, 1922, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Joe and Mary Skandunas. Jerry had an extensive and diverse career beginning as an executive secretary and national model for the Line Material Company based in Milwaukee. She opted to join husband Ken and move the family to San Diego in 1954. There, Jerry was employed by Convair/General Dynamics and was the only woman selected to join the research and production teams of Navy-contracted experimental projects The Pogo Stick and Sea Dart. Following a long career at Convair, San Diego, Jerry decided to change careers, entering the field of taxes and financial planning. She was often credited with being a pioneer in the tax world for offering the newly developed IRA tax credits to her California customers. She lectured up and down the west coast, sharing her ideas on taxes and financial planning. Many of her clients were in the entertainment field. Jerry authored two textbooks on tax preparation, also initiating and designing a 45-hour course taught extensively throughout California: "Financial Planning for the Tax Consultant." She attended the University of Wisconsin in Business Administration and was licensed in the state of California and by the National Association of Security Dealers. Jerry had tremendous vision in the tax world and compassion for her clients. Despite a busy career, she always made time for her family. Jerry is survived by her two sons, David Habermeyer and Christopher Lance Habermeyer; two grandchildren, Karen Arrington and Whitney Habermeyer; and three great-grandchildren. Services will be private. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.