"Thinking of you Laura. So saddened to hear the news about your wonderful mom. She was always so kind and welcoming to all of us Madison schoolers. She sure raised some great kids too. Hugs and prayers. Love, Yvonnie "
In loving memory of
Barbara Gates Gerdes
May 25, 1936 - January 24, 2022
Barbara Ann "Barb" Gates Gerdes, 85, of 2130 Harrison Street #45B, died in Good Samaritan Home at 9:15 AM Monday (Jan. 24, 2022).
She was born May 25, 1936 in Quincy, a daughter of Parker Smith Gates and Mildred Irene Lichtenberger Gates. On July 12, 1958, she married William Frederick "Bill" Gerdes III. He preceded her in death.
Barb was a 1954 graduate of Quincy Senior High School. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1958 with a degree in Education. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Barb taught science and home economics at Quincy Junior High School from 1958 to 1962. Later she managed the Green Turtle gift shop. In her early years she worked for Gates Radio, her father's company.
Barb was an active volunteer in Quincy, serving organizations too numerous to list in full. She believed wholeheartedly in giving back to her community and in helping others. She was the President of the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, Good Samaritan Home, Quincy Service League and Cheerful Home. She also served on the Unmet Needs Committee, Illinois Wesleyan University Parent Board, Michelmann Foundation, Quincy Art Club, Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, Family Service Agency, Quincy College Annual Fund, Woodland Home, ISPE Women's Auxiliary, Quincy Museum, Salvation Army, Quincy Convention & Visitors Bureau and United Way. She was particularly proud of serving on the Illinois Humanities Council and the Park Board long-range planning committee.
Barb was a woman of great faith. She was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church where she most recently served on the Care Team committee. And she also enjoyed attending the Congregational Church and her Bible study group there.
Barb was a member of Friends in Council, the oldest women's literary study group in America.
In her earlier years she enjoyed playing golf and especially playing tennis. And she enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, particularly to Estes Park, Colorado and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain.
She was a former member of the Quincy Country Club, the Union League Club of Chicago and the Missouri Athletic Club.
Her greatest joy was her family and her many friends with whom she enjoyed spending time. She particularly enjoyed her coffee group.
Survivors include her daughter Laura Gates Gerdes Ehrhart and her son William Frederick "Wil" Gerdes IV; her son-in-in law Richard Matthew "Rick" Ehrhart; her granddaughters Clara Elizabeth Ann Ehrhart and Alexis Mary "Lexi" Gerdes and her grandsons Gates Nikolaus Ehrhart and Richard William "Trey" Ehrhart; her daughter-in-law Jennifer Gerdes Akers; her sister Janet Gates Conover and her husband Joseph I. Conover; her sister-in-law Ruth Gerdes Bush and her husband Douglas Bush; her brother-in-law Gordon B. Forbes; her nephews Joseph and Robert Conover, her nieces Elizabeth "Beth" (Kevin Maas) and Anne Forbes and her great-niece Maddie Maas; and her aunt Wilma Lichtenberger and numerous cousins. She also had three nieces and three nephews on her husband's side of the family
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, her son Parker Lee "Chip" Gerdes and her sister Mary Belle Gates.
The family is grateful for the care she received from Dr. Louis Kim. Blessing Hospital, Good Samaritan Home and CareLink.
Services: 11:00 am Monday, January 31, 2022 at Vermont Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Patty Johansen officiating.
Burial: Private burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois
Visitation: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Sunday January 30, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorial donations may be made to Parker Lee "Chip" Gerdes Endowed Scholarship in Political Science at Quincy University, Vermont Street United Methodist Church Radio Ministry, or Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"From the family of Wanda Hutter - we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Barb's children, grandchildren and the extended Gates and Gerdes families. Our parents adored Parker and Millie Gates, and our mother was especially grateful for her friendship with Barb. We trust that Mom and Barb are enjoying each other's company, and perfect health, in Heaven. With our warmest regards - Lindalyn Hutter and Jeffrey Hutter"
"Sending our heartfelt condolences from our family to yours. We share fond memories spanning multigenerations. Barbara was a gem of our gem city. We will miss her dearly. Love, The Spakes"
"Such a beautiful lady?sending hugs and prayers for your beautiful family. "