Gerda Ida Wedekind, 91, of Crystal Lake

Gerda Ida Wedekind, of Crystal Lake, passed away, Feb. 7, 2013, just months shy of her 92nd year. 

She died peacefully of natural causes in her home surrounded by members of her family.

Gerda was born on July 30, 1921, to August and Emma Ahlborn, in Ahlshausen, Germany. 

A cook by profession, she learned her trade in Northeim, Germany, where she met her husband, Heinz, who had earned a Masters title in baking. They established their first bakery business in post-war Germany before emigrating by ship to America in 1954 with their four small children. 

In Wisconsin, the couple owned and operated family bakery businesses in Milwaukee, where their fifth child was born, and in Tomahawk, Wis., well into the 1980s. 

Gerda is survived by all of her “best ones," as she affectionately called her extended and loving family: her five children, daughters Gerdamarie, Marita, Gabriela, and LaVera; and son Lothar - their respective spouses Tassilo Lawin, Paul Stieber, Jeffrey Schmidt, Robert Kennison, and Miryam Wedekind; and her 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Her 14th great grandchild is due to be born later this month. 

The memorial service for Gerda is being held in Crystal Lake, with her burial in Tomahawk, Wis., alongside her beloved husband Heinz in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation in Crystal Lake will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at 178 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. The Memorial Service begins at noon.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations may be made to a charity close to Gerda’s heart, namely the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, 257 King Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

Arrangements handled by Davenport Family Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.