Elma Virginia Gerdes
Born: November 28th, 1910
Died: January 1st, 2009
Obituary
Elma Virginia Gerdes of Lewisburg, PA, formerly of Burlington, IA, died on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Lewisburg, PA. Born on November 28, 1910, she was the daughter of Leslie Vance and Grace Searight Daggs. She married Paul J. Gerdes on July 25, 1942, in Cheyenne, WY. He died on December 25, 1999. Elma was a school teacher, specializing in home economics. She belonged to Friends of Southeast Iowa Symphony, Burlington Educational Foundation Board, Burlington Medical Center Auxiliary, Des Moines County Extension Council, American Red Cross, Norman Circle of King's Daughters, PEO, Burlington Book Club, and the Mending Club. She was also a 4-H judge. She was active in the Oak Street Baptist Church, Burlington, IA, and was a member of the Ruth Circle. She started a day care program and organized the senior citizen's group. She enjoyed initiating and organizing new projects. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening, traveling, and developing her talents at new crafts, especially weaving. Elma is survived by two sons, John (Eugenia) Gerdes of Lewisburg, PA, and Charles (Yoshiko) Gerdes of Honolulu, HI; two grandchildren, Benjamin and Ellen of Lewisburg, PA; several nieces and nephews; several close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, Robert Daggs, and one sister, Helen Buderkin. The graveside ash committal service for Elma Virginia Gerdes will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, IA. Rev. Joey Link will officiate.