Gerhold, Esther Elizabeth (Reding)

Esther Elizabeth (Reding) Gerhold

1986, at the age of 70, she retired after 22 years of service.

She was a long time member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Center Point, where she sang in the choir for many years. In approximately 1968, she started the first Girl Scout troop in Center Point, where she also served as troop leader.

Esther had two loves: her first and foremost was her family. She was very proud of all of them and often boasted about how many grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren she had. Esther's second love was travel and she was able to see many parts of the U.S. in her lifetime, including Alaska; however her favorite area was the Rocky Mountains. You could always count on her having plenty of pictures to share and adventures to talk about.

Survivors include three children: Lora L. Behrens of Atkins, H. John Gerhold of Center Point and Cheryl L. (David) Cudworth of Anamosa; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Virginia and Joan Reding; a brother-in-law, Eldred Gerhold; and longtime friend, Lois Rowe.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry W. Gerhold of Center Point; daughter, Barbara J. Thompson of Marion; grandson, Chris H. Thompson of Marion; her sisters, Florence Kelsey, Margaret Kahler and Susan Reding; and her brothers, John and Clarence Reding.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids, where friends may call after 2 p.m. on the 20th. Pastor David Hansen will officiate. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, is in charge of arrangements.

The family of Esther Gerhold would like to gratefully thank the Hiawatha Care Center for the wonderful, loving care they showed to their mother for so many years.

Donations received will be used to construct and place a park bench at Morgan Creek County Park in memory of Henry W. and Esther E. Gerhold.

Please leave a message or tribute to Esther's family on the Web page, under obituaries.

Published Sept. 23, 2012 in The Gazette