Gerda Noelle

Preceded in death by parents, Fritz and Anna Blank, and her dear husband, Walter, in 1988.

She had a very eventful life and participated in opening ceremonies of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Her favorite school subject was English. Not possible because of the outbreak of WWII, her English teacher had wanted her to further her studies in Cambridge, England.

She was secretary to the post-war mayor of Berlin, Spandau. Gerda met her husband Walter, the only man in her life, at her first ballroom dancing lesson at age 17. They married in 1943 during WWII. She survived Allied bombings and witnessed Russians invading her neighborhood in Berlin. Emigrating to Long Island, NY in 1951 with her husband and daughter Evelyn, she focused totally on her family.

Gerda retired from Abraham and Strauss Federated Store in Huntington Station, NY. When grandchildren were born she and Walter retired to Columbus. They loved dancing every Saturday night at the Germania Club. Her hobbies were baking fabulous German tortes only from scratch, reading German magazines, gardening, and solving intricate German crossword puzzles.

She lived in her Upper Arlington home until she passed. She had just returned from a Transatlantic cruise and trip to visit Berlin one final time with her daughter and son-in-law. Always independent, she never liked to impose or ask for help from anyone. She so enjoyed helping others -- especially her family.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, Evelyn Lawton, and son-in-law, Ray, whom she loved and treated like a son. She had an incredible love of her grandchildren: Kristi (Jerry) Stone, Ken, and Kathy. She was so proud of their accomplishments and appreciated how they enriched her life. Gerda also leaves behind her very special and best friend, Rita Zarth. Gerda and Walter will now be ballroom dancing together for all eternity.

Family will receive friends Friday, October 10, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, OH. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with visiting one hour prior to the service. Interment Union Cemetery. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories or condolences.