"Don and family, my sincere condolences for Rita? A beautiful, loving lady who I enjoyed spending time with during our Mall days ?. God bless you all?Judy Cassen"
In loving memory of
Rita Marlene Gerdes
November 26, 1934 - November 17, 2020
Rita Marlene Gerdes, 85, of Fort Dodge passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home.
Funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday November 23rd at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Masks are required and social distancing. During the visitation there can only be 15 people in the funeral home.
Survivors include her husband of 69 years Don of Fort Dodge, daughters Diana Gerdes, Vickie (Craig) Summers, Gina (Steve) McConathy all of Fort Dodge, sons Don Gerdes, Steve (Tina) Gerdes and Patrick (Wendy) Gerdes all of Fort Dodge, 16 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, sister Sandra Ritz of California and her brother Robert Raymond of Seattle, WA.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leslie and Marcella (Ulrich) Raymond, infant daughter and son, grandson William McDermott III, sisters Delores Rogers, Shirley Kuelem and Beverly Wright.
Rita Marlene Raymond was born on November 26, 1934 in Fort Dodge. She was raised and educated in Fort Dodge. On June 9, 1951 she was united in marriage to Donald R. Gerdes at Corpus Christi Church and the couple established their home in Fort Dodge. Rita worked for the Fort Dodge Public School System for 14 years. She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"Don and family, my sincere condolences for Rita? A beautiful, loving lady that I enjoyed seeing during our Mall days? God bless you all"
"Gina & Family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers for you & your Mom. RIP. ?"
"Vickie and family ~ lifting you all up in prayer during this difficult time. ~ Jean McGough Severson"
"Vickie and family Sorry for your loss. Peg Tarbox Hyndman "