Bertie Lou (Pfoutz) Gerdes

Bertie L. Gerdes, age 91, of Walnut, Illinois died peacefully Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024.

Mrs. Gerdes was born on March 19, 1933, in Sublette, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Clair and Grace Pfoutz.  Bertie grew up in Franklin Grove, Illinois with her brothers Stanley and Duane, and sister Sara.  She was a graduate of Franklin Grove High School, class of 1951.

Bertie was united in marriage with Herbert C. Gerdes on January 24, 1954, in Franklin Grove.  She moved to Walnut, Illinois where she and Herb farmed for their entire lives.  Bertie was a devoted wife and loving mother to Steven H. and Julie A. (Peterson) Gerdes.  She actively participated in farming activities, loved gardening, cooking and generously cared for others, especially following the death of Herb’s father in 1956. 

Mrs. Gerdes enjoyed membership in ladies’ social clubs in Walnut, including the Ladies Circle at Red Oak Church, where she was a long-time member.  She worked at the Walnut Auction Barn for many years, tracking receipts from the weekly cattle auctions. In her later years she enjoyed Friday night dinners with the WWW’s, the Widows and Widowers of Walnut.

Bertie’s great joy was being a grandmother to Reid and Jake Peterson and then great-grandmother to Kennadee, Journey and Kaden.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have very fond memories of enjoying her delicious lunches and listening to her play the organ at home.

She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Kurt) Peterson, grandsons, Reid and Jake Peterson, great-grandchildren Kennadee, Journey and Kaden Peterson, daughter-in-law, Julie Gerdes and step-grandsons, Chris and John (Autumn) Williams, her brother, Stanley (DeLyle) Pfoutz, brothers-in-law Edward Gerdes and Larry (Ann) Gerdes and sisters-in-law Helen (Del) Sutton, Dolores Thompson and Linda (Hank) Porten and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Clair and Grace Pfoutz, brother Duane, and sister Sara, husband Herb Gerdes and son Steven Gerdes.

Bertie’s legacy is the impact that she had on the many lives of those in her family and friends that she touched with her warm smile and kindness and her love and friendship will be greatly missed.

In accordance with Bertie’s wishes, a private family service was held with burial at the Walnut Cemetery.  Memorial contributions in honor of Bertie Gerdes may be sent to 

P. O. Box 218, Walnut, IL 61376.

Online condolences may be sent to www.garlandfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bertie Lou (Pfoutz) Gerdes, please visit our floral store.