Gerling, Ardith Delaine

Ardith Delaine Gerling, 79, of Monticello, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications of surgery. Funeral services will be 10:30 Friday morning at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, rural Newhall, at 1:30 Friday afternoon. The Rev. Reed Stockman will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. today at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com

Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or to a charity of choice.

Surviving are her husband, Leonard; two daughters, Lisa (David) Bielser, Norwalk, and Julie (Perry) Lund, Oskaloosa; and her grandson, Erik.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ardith Delaine Baumgardner was born Sept. 23, 1930, at Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of William J. and Laura Schroeder Baumgardner. Ardith attended school in Newhall and Blairstown before graduating from the Van Horne High School in 1948 as valedictorian. Ardith continued her education at Drake University, where she graduated with her Bachelor in Music Education degree. She taught in the Anamosa Community Schools from 1952 until 1957. Ardith Baumgardner and Leonard Gerling were married on June 14, 1953, at St Andrews Lutheran Church, Van Horne. Ardith then taught at the Midland Schools from 1957 until 1961. She returned to teaching in 1970 at Shannon Elementary in Monticello. Ardith retired in 1992.

She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Aid and was an organist. She was a member of the PhiMu sorority and Drake Alumni Association.