Gertrude A. Herber

Gertrude Ann Herber, 87, of Fort Wayne, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 25, 1937, a daughter of the late Walter and Adele (Forst) Herber. After graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1955, she worked at Lincoln National Life Insurance company for over 40 years, and also as a secretary at St. Therese Parish in Fort Wayne. She volunteered for over 45 years at St. Joseph Hospital and volunteered for many other organizations including her church, Homebound Meals, Rescue Missions, Franciscan Center and more. For her many years and variety of volunteering, she was runner-up to receiving the Ian Rolland Community Service Award, with monetary value going to Turnstone, one of her favorite charities. Gertie was like a second mother to all her nieces and nephews, and friend and confidant to countless others. She was always ready with an open door, cheerful smile and hearty laugh. Her unshakable faith and humility were the foundation of her optimism, good cheer, and happy example to all who knew and loved her. She brought much wonder to her nieces and nephews with her storytelling, adventurous walks, songs, and outdoor games at the farmhouse where she grew up. She was a true (and quite vocal!) fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and over time amassed an expansive collection of shot glasses from all over the world. She was so grateful for the privilege of being born into such a beautiful and loving family and cherished each and everyone of them. She also was so grateful for those special friends, who along with her family, helped make her life a very happy journey. She is survived by her brother, Charles, and 19 nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Gertie was preceded in passing by her two brothers, Hubert and Anthony, and two sisters, Bernadette Kelly and Teresa Davis. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with Rosary at 7:30 PM at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46809. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 1500 W State Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808. Entombment to follow the service at Catholic Cemetery 3500 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Contributions in Gertie’s memory may be made to the Poor Clare Sisters of the Poor Clare Monastery (mail to Poor Clare Sisters, 3501 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland, OH 44111-2998), and to Masses at Queen of Angels parish. Please visit www.elzey-patterson-rodakfuneralhome.com.