Hermesch, Geraldine Louise

Geraldine Louise Hermesch, 80, of Anamosa, went to be with our Lord at 2:26 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, with her family surrounding her.

She was born July 11, 1933, in Kelly, Kan., the daughter of the late William and Margaret (Stallbaumer) Hutfles. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marcelline Tangeman. Geraldine graduated from Kelly High School in Kelly, Kan., then went to work for her uncle, Father Ernest Stallbaumer in Council Bluffs. She was united in marriage on May 29, 1956, in Kelly to Lawrence Edwin Hermesch.

Over 57 years of marriage, Geraldine lived out her vocation as devoted wife, loving mother and gifted homemaker. Her endless gifts to her family included many hours of sewing, cooking, baking, gardening, canning and crocheting.

She enjoyed watching ice-skating and attending her children's and grandchildren's extracurricular activities, but the thing she treasured most was the time she was given to spend with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Lawrence; and their 10 children: Timothy (Anzhelika) of Houston, Texas; Janelle (Barry) Lipp of Arvada, Colo.; Terri (Nick) Gardner of Marion; Laure (Shawn) Doyle of Cedar Rapids; Mary Hermesch (Matt Nelson) of Marion; Michelle (Jim) Stelzer of Minneapolis; Monica (Todd) Postel of Anamosa; Madonna (Rich) Klimes of Muscatine; Gerae (John) Turner of San Antonio, Texas; and Joel (Celia) Hermesch of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Bud Hutfles of Kahlotus, Wash., and Cork Hutfles of Pasco, Wash.; one sister, Katie Tinley of Chicago; 24 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, with a rosary beginning at 7 p.m., also at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Published Nov. 28, 2013 in The Gazette