Charlotte Ann Gerdes

Charlotte Ann Gerdes, 86, was born to her parents Marjorie and Charles on June 19th 1938 in Cherokee, Iowa.

The family, including her younger brother Chuck, moved from Iowa to California and back to Iowa again. When she was in junior high she got polio and was considered a survivor of the disease. Her mother remarried and had her baby sister, Sheri. Charlotte graduated high school in Storm Lake, Iowa.

She then married the love of her life, James H. Gerdes on November 25th, 1956, at the young age of eighteen. While she was pregnant with her first child, Jeff, her mother had her second baby sister Denise. Scott, Cyndi, and David came along rather quickly thereafter.

The Gerdes family lived in the Wild West of first Colorado, and then Wyoming where the family spent every minute they could in the great outdoors fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and horseback riding. They grew and raised gardens to feed all those kids, built a house, and endured an amazing array of weather. The family eventually ended up moving back to Colorado, where they continued to enjoy the same activities, but much better weather!

After raising her family of four, she worked several different jobs eventually retiring from Mountain Bell Phone Company. Once they had both retired, Jim and Charlotte created a life full of travel, adventures, and made so many memories. They traveled to every state except Alaska!

She was a devoted, loyal, and loving wife to Jim until he passed away in 2016. They loved each other and shared their lives together for almost 60 years. She continued on and had many more adventures. Several trips were made to visit family. One of her last trips was to Blue Mesa, one of her and Jim’s favorite places.

Then her last trip was to visit and meet her great granddaughter, Charlotte Josephine.

She also loved to play cards and games. She was always up for a game challenge with her friends and family who she loved spending good quality time with. Charlotte had many hobbies. Knitting, gardening, reading, and baking were just some of her passions. Sharing and teaching her children and grandchildren was very special to her. She was always quick with conversation and could talk to anybody and everybody about anything! Her family and friends can all attest to her gift of gab.

She loved the Lord Jesus dearly and was involved in many Bible studies discussing the gospel that she believed in with her whole heart. She wanted everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus as she did, and for all her loved ones to know his love.

Charlotte’s greatest joys and times in life were spending time with friends and family especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren including Charlotte Josephine, who was lovingly named after her great grandmother.

Charlotte was resilient and full of life until the very end. She battled many illnesses throughout her life, all while having a positive and accepting outlook knowing that she would be going home to heaven. She spent her last days peacefully surrounded by her family, just as she wanted.

Charlotte is survived by her younger siblings Chuck Pfalzgraf, Sheri(Jeff) Tjossem, Denise(Scott) Binder, her brother in law Terry(Sharon) Gerdes. She is survived by her children Jeff(Michelle) Gerdes, Scott(Cindy) Gerdes, Cyndi(Mark) McDaniel, and David(Michelle)Gerdes. Also surviving her are 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Surviving as well, are all her very dear and close friends.

Please join us at 11:30am on May 9th 2025 at Redlands Community Church to celebrate Charlotte’s life. Reception to follow.