Wanda Ruth Gerdemann

Mrs. Wanda Ruth Gerdemann, 85, passed away Oct. 20, 2014, at Presbyterian Manor. Cremation has been accorded and private inurnment will be at a later time at the Lippstad-Friedens Cemetery in Warrenton, MO.

Wanda was born Jan. 19, 1929, in Columbia, MO., the daughter of Arch & Theo Ellen (Ballew) Estes. She graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia, in 1947, and from nurse's training at Kansas City General Hospital in 1950, where she received the Isabella E. Brandon Award of Merit as the outstanding student in her class. After graduation, she worked at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital in Columbia, where she met her future husband, Paul Gerdemann, who was also working there while attending the Univ. of Missouri. Paul and Wanda were married Sept. 1, 1951, in Jefferson City. They have one son, Edward, born in 1953.

Surviving are her husband, Paul, of Farmington. Son, Edward (Judy) of Phoenix, AZ; sister, Pat (Jim) Lane, of Lake St. Louis; brother, Tom (Nelda) Estes of Bluffdale, TX; and 2 grandchildren - Jonathan Gerdemann, of Los Angeles, CA & Bethany Gerdemann, of Berkeley, CA., as well as many nieces and nephews.

Upon Paul's graduation from the Univ. of Missouri in 1952, they relocated to Rivermines, MO., where he was employed as a geologist for the St. Joseph Lead Co. while Wanda worked as a Registered Nurse at Bonne Terre Hospital. In 1955, following Paul's induction into the United States Army, they moved to Alexandria, VA. Wanda worked at the Alexandria General Hospital while Paul served at Ft. Belvoir. They returned to the Lead Belt in 1956, and then moved to Salem in 1957, where Paul did field exploration for St. Joe. Upon returning to Bonne Terre in 1958, she resumed employment at Bonne Terre Hospital remaining there until the family moved to Farmington in 1963. After moving to Farmington, Wanda worked for the Farmington State Hospital first in nursing services and then as a coordinator at the alcohol rehab unit. She retired in 1976, and she and Paul moved to Viburnum, where Paul continued his career with St. Joe.

After Paul retired in 1986, they split the next 19 years between Viburnum and Arizona, where their son and grandchildren resided. They returned to Farmington in 2004. Wanda was an avid fisherman, making numerous trips to Ontario as well as many trips to Bull Shoals and other area lakes and streams. She was a dedicated St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan, hardly ever missing a broadcast, but especially she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Memorial Visitation : Friday, Oct. 24th, 2-4 p.m.

Memorial Service : Friday, Oct. 24th at 4:00 p.m.

at : TAYLOR Funeral Service CHAPEL

Memorials to : The Alzheimer's Association