Gerda Schmeltzer

Gerda Elizabeth Lina Schmeltzer (Michel), a resident of Bettendorf, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2024.

Gerda was born on August 22, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois to Kurt and Erna Michel, natives of Berlin, Germany. Gerda always remembered her childhood with fond memories, especially at Christmas, when she and her siblings would march into the parlor singing “O Tannenbaum” and setting their eyes for the first time on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

Gerda graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1944. After high school, while working at the White Market in Davenport (and a stint as the Peter Pan girl), she met and later married on February 28,1948 Norman B. Schmeltzer, Jr. in Rockford, Illinois. Gerda then began her primary career as a household manager. After a move to California, the couple returned to Iowa to join Norm’s brother, Howard, as co-owner of Schmeltzer Food Brokerage, Inc, in Bettendorf, a business they successfully operated together for over forty years until their retirement. Norm preceded Gerda in death in 2017. Gerda was preceded also in death by her two brothers, Gerhard and Werner, and one sister, Ursula “Mickey” Carstensen.

Gerda leaves behind her three children: Noman B. Schmeltzer III, (Jane), Christine Johnson, (Bryce), Kurt Schmeltzer, (Roselyn), six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, including her nephew and godson, John Schmeltzer.

Gerda enjoyed traveling with Norm and her family to Europe, the Caribbean, and California. She was talented musically, witty with a great sense of humor (one had to have living with Norm!). Gerda enjoyed crafting, knitting and crocheting (Happy Hookers’), reading (biographies particularly), and in younger years, volunteer work including at Mark Twain Elementary School, ice-skating and tennis. Gerda was a gifted cook and baker. She enjoyed her many friends and their gatherings and weekly dinners. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Moline.

 Gerda was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and as her grandchildren remember her:

 “When we think of Grammy (“Nai Nai”), we think of someone who never stops moving, someone drawn to detail, someone very creatively gifted. We think of her sitting in a chair crocheting or knitting what would become one of her beautifully crafted quilts. We think of her in the kitchen making all the family favorites: Christmas candy cane cookies, pinwheels, thumbprints, chocolate chip cookies, pork tenderloins, spaghetti and meatballs, and of course, those almond dough cookies (there has never not been an argument over those cookies!) We think of Bingo and cards and building Lincoln Logs in the basement. We think of her flawless handwriting on every card we’ve ever received from her – handwriting so exquisite that it is hard to throw out anything she writes by hand.

 When we think of Grammy (“Nai Nai”), we feel gratitude for her support and love. We’re grateful for all the holidays and vacations and time spent together, the birthday and holiday cards, the school and extracurricular events and graduations, the holiday crafts for our classrooms, the back-to-school shopping sprees, the trips to the zoos, museums, restaurants, Whitey’s, and the list goes on including many hilarious moments. We were so fortunate to have had her present in our lives. Love always from your grandchildren, Megan, Katie, Tessa, McKenna, Michael and Max.”

Gerda’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staffs’ of The Fountains Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice. Gerda was entombed alongside Norm at the Moline Memorial Park Cemetery, and a private family memorial was held.