Born October 24, 1936, to Everett and Louise (Kessler) Eckland. Promoted to her eternal heavenly home at age 87 on August 27, 2024.

Gwen was raised in Chesterton and graduated from Chesterton High School in 1954. She attended Purdue University where she studied home economics and joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority. It was at Purdue where she met Gordon Gerdt; they married in the fall of 1956. Gwen and Gordon were married for 64 years, until his passing in June 2021. Together they raised a family of three daughters and two sons, living in Highland and then Munster beginning in 1968.

As a mother and homemaker, Gwen was involved with various activities such as PTA, Vacation Bible School, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She very much enjoyed a multitude of trips and events as the wife of a steel executive, most notably a trip to Rio de Janeiro. After retirement and the high school graduation of their youngest child, Gwen and Gordon moved to a home on Irish Lake in Warsaw in 1990, where they enjoyed country living. As snowbirds, they also maintained a winter home in Desert Hot Springs, CA for over 20 years.

During the past few decades, Gwen developed a love of gardening, and was always involved in women’s Bible study. She enjoyed cheering on Purdue and the Cubs, and loved any kind of family gathering – whether large or small. After Gordon’s passing, Gwen moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where she lived for the past three years.

Gwen is survived by daughters Cheryl Zozaya (Michael) of Laguna Hills, CA, Pamela Stein (Paul) of St. Pete Beach, FL, and Lisa Fankhauser (Jerry) of Gainesville, FL; sons Steve Gerdt (Dawn) of San Jose, CA and Kevin Gerdt (Julie) of Valparaiso; ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, and by brothers Bruce and Paul Eckland.

A memorial service to celebrate Gwen’s life will take place at 10:30 AM CT on October 18, 2024, at Grace Chapel, 157 Lafayette Street, Valparaiso, IN, with Pastor Kevin Gerdt officiating.

Mom was much loved by her family and many friends – we all look forward to that day when we will see her again with Jesus!