Althea Marie Gerdes

Althea Marie Gerdes, 75, of Liberty, MO passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Liberty Health and Wellness Center. Althea was born July 25, 1946 to Raymond and Eunice (James) Barnes in Humboldt, NE.

She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1964. Out of high school, she went on to work for an insurance company in Lincoln, NE. On December 26, 1965, Althea married her childhood friend, Leland Gerdes at the Humboldt Methodist Church. Together, they started building their family, and lived in different places throughout the country while Leland served in the military.

After settling in Liberty, MO, Althea worked various jobs such as a bookkeeper, receptionist, bank teller, and cashier. Althea loved to learn, she continued her education and graduated from William Jewell in 1987 with a BA in Psychology and Religion. She was also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta. In 1996, Althea earned a Masters of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology. She received many academic achievement awards during her time at both schools. Althea became an ordained minister in 2003 and was very active in her church. She was also very passionate about helping others. She volunteered for a wide variety of groups including, Safe Haven, Hospice groups, and at the Liberty Jr. High school helping troubled youth. She also started a singles group at the Liberty Assembly of God. In her free time, Althea enjoyed reading, writing in her journals, and feeding the birds, neighborhood cats, and stray animals. She also enjoyed taking care of plants, swimming at the North Kansas City YMCA, and driving around getting lost, but her most favored time was spent with her children and grandchildren.

Althea is preceded in death by her parents, her son Steven Gerdes, and her infant brother, Kenneth.

She is survived by two children; Charles (Angie) Gerdes of Kansas City, MO, and Julie (Daniel) Ackerman of Liberty, MO, former spouse; Leland Gerdes of Liberty, MO brothers; Dwaine (Charlene) Barnes of Austin, TX, James (Tako) Barnes of Las Vegas, NV, Leroy Barnes of Humboldt, NE, and one sister; Grace Barnes of Lincoln, NE. Also surviving are grandchildren; Bethany, Sarah, Jillian, Henry, Alexandria (Jordan), Darron (Shy), Claudia (Sam), Sydney, Allie, and Noah, great grandchildren; Aiden, Sophia, Kenna, Hazyl, Henna, Lucas, August, Kaliyah, Kamiyah, KV, and MJ. and many others who loved her greatly.

A service will be held in Humboldt, NE at the Humboldt Methodist Church on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the KC Pet Project.