PRINCETON — Sharon L. Gerdes, 64, of rural Princeton, formerly of Walnut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at her home after a two-year courageous battle with cancer.
Sharon was born July 13, 1952, in Princeton, the daughter of Maynard and Margaret (VonHolten) Parker. She was educated in Walnut schools and graduated from Walnut High School. She was united in marriage to Ed Gerdes Aug. 2, 1980, at the First Lutheran Church of Ohio.
She was a longtime employee of Walnut Grade School and Bureau Valley North Schools, retiring in 2014 as office secretary. Many times you would see a young student who was ill sitting on her lap in the office waiting for Mom or Dad to come. Many young students would arrive at school in the morning and stop at the office to get a hug from Mrs. Gerdes before heading to their classroom. After retirement she spent time volunteering for the after-school program, the exploratory classes and other school activities. She had been a volunteer with the Walnut Fire Department and was a certified EMT and had completed some advanced paramedic training.
She is survived by her husband, Ed Gerdes, of Princeton; her parents, Maynard and Margaret Parker of Walnut; one daughter, Tonya (Mike) Besler of Ohio, Ill.; one son, Nicholas Gerdes of Walnut; two stepdaughters, Robin (Douglas) Noble of Charlotte, N.C., and Rebecca (Kevin) Woody of Marietta, Ga.; two stepsons, John (Mary) Gerdes of Green Cove Springs, Fla., and Matthew (Jennifer) Gerdes of Western Springs; 10 grandchildren; one sister, Charlene (Bill) Frankenreider of Annawan; one brother, Douglas (Lori) Parker of Normal; one special niece, Amber (John) Dalziel of Ripon, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents and one brother-in-law, Herb Gerdes.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 10, at the First Lutheran Church of Ohio with the Rev. Eugene Vincent, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut.
Memorials have been established to the First Lutheran Church of Ohio, Bureau Valley North Exploratory Classes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences may be left at www.garlandfuneralhome.com.