Pansy (Ethel) Gerdes

August 8, 1917 - January 2, 2015

Ethel Gerdes Pansy Ethel Gerdes was born August 8, 1917 in Belmont (Kingman County), Kansas to James Edward Carter and Grace Shoemaker Carter. On January 1, 1936, she married Everett Gerdes at the Lutheran Church in Benkelman. To this union two daughters were born,Shirley and Melba. Ethel and Everett lived and worked on their farm until they retired in l975 and moved into Benkelman. Pansy moved to Mississippi in July of 2003, to live with her daughter, Melba, after Everett's passing. Pansy passed away January 2, 2015, at the Chadwick Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She was 97 years of age. Pansy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Everett; daughter, Shirley Simer, two sisters, Violet Howard and Ruby Stute, and three brothers, Melvin Carter, Leonard Carter, and Ernest Carter. Survivors include one daughter, Melba Peake, of Clinton, Mississippi, five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday, January 13, at 10:30 A.M. (MT) at the Zion Lutheran Church of Benkelman, Ne. with Pastor Doug Hjelmstad officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman. Visitation will be held Monday, January 12, from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. (MT) at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Lutheran Church in Benkelman. Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com BENKELMAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS