Lois Gerth

LOIS GERTH

Cedar Rapids

Lois Jean Gerth, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at Garnett Place Retirement Community in Cedar Rapids after a long illness. Private funeral service: Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. There will be no visitation. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Mausoleum.

Lois was born April 11, 1933, the daughter of William and Hazel (Maxson) Boyle, in Chicago. She married the love of her life, Richard

Gerth, on Dec. 29, 1951, in Chicago. Lois and Richard moved to Iowa from Rockford, Ill., in 1975 and were married for 53 years until Richard's death in June 2004.

She was employed by Mercy Medical Center as a unit secretary until her retirement in 1991.

Lois enjoyed crocheting, knitting, reading thrillers and cheering on the Chicago Bears and White Sox. She was proud of her Irish heritage and considered her trip to Ireland in 2005 to be one of the best experiences of her life.

Survivors include her three sons, Daniel (Connie) Gerth of Santa Fe, N.M., Michael Gerth of Mount Vernon and Scott (Tonaleen) Gerth of Cedar Rapids; four daughters, Debra (David) Schneider of Rock City, Ill., Pamela (Rick) Hemphill of Cedar Rapids, Susan (Lee Miller) Gerth of Cedar Rapids and Michelle Mehlberger of Marion; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous stepgrandchildren; two sisters, Patricia Wood of Yuma, Ariz., and Judy Litoborski of Oak Forest, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; daughters, Kimberly Gerth and Patti Wolfe; son, Mark; parents; stepfather, Frank Malin; and in-laws, Arthur and Elizabeth Gerth.

Lois' family would like to thank Garnett Place staff, especially nurse Lee Thoma, and Hospice of Mercy, particularly Cindy Nisly and Chris Sargent, for their kindness and compassion.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.