Elizabeth Ida Gerdiman

Elizabeth Ida Gerdiman, of St. Charles passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at the age of 90. Beloved wife of 43 years to Willis Gerdiman; cherished daughter of Myrtle and Elmer Nowack as well as her step father Frank Bauman; daughter-in-law of the late Emilia and William Gerdiman; devoted mother of Caron (Steve) Story and Donald Gerdiman; loving grandmother of Jessica (Kyle) Noonan, Kelly (Drew) Briesacher, Ross (Laura) Story, Kimberly (Ryan) Graham, and David Gerdiman; dear great-grandmother of Zoey and Winnie Briesacher, Ella and Nolan Graham, Gwen Story, Liam and Finn Noonan; dear sister of the late Margaret Hudson; and loving aunt to Rochelle (John) Hornketh and Denise (Tim) Donovan.

Liz met the love of her life, Willis Gerdiman, while they were at St. John United Church of Christ. After graduating high school, Will joined the Army and was stationed in Washington, D.C. where they were married on July 11, 1952. Liz also found work in federal services as a secretary for a general at the Pentagon.

When they returned to Missouri, she had many jobs and many roles in the community she so loved. She ran an in-home childcare for a time, worked and traveled for the National Peach Council, designed cookbooks, ran an in-home printing business, and spent 37 years as a paralegal where she made lifelong friends with the attorney she worked with and his wife, Lester and Judy Goldman. She and Will volunteered at the Evangelical Children's Home, sold real estate and managed multiple rental properties. She held a strong faith and was very active in the St. John United Church of Christ community. The faith saw her through many challenges and many celebrations in her life.

She was most proud of her roles in her beloved family. She was a daughter, wife, mother, caretaker, sounding board, and the ultimate party planner. As a family historian, she dutifully recorded stories and events of our Prussian/German hertiage. One of her greatest joys was to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever she could.

Liz traveled extensively to Europe, the Caribbean, and 48 of the United States. She maintained life long friendships and was often chatting it up making new friends. Poetry was her outlet of choice and she did not hesitate to share this with those that she loved. Liz was exuberant, determined, and you could always count on her to bring a laugh at just the right time.

She maintained life long friendships with whom she referred to as “The High School Kids.”

Liz was a one of kind woman, who found joy in life everyday and brought that light to everyone she met. She will truly be missed by everyone who knew her.

Memorials can be made in Liz's honor to American Cancer Society and the Radio at St. John United Church of Christ.

To join the service virtually, please use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=st+john+ucc+st+charles+mo