Lois E. Gardt

Lois E. Gardt, 99, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2026, at The Towne House Retirement Community. She was born May 9, 1927, in Fort Wayne, the daughter of the late Clarence C. and Nellie (Rehrer) Gardt, and graduated from South Side High School in 1945. During WWII, Lois was a sworn-in member/volunteer of the "Ground Observation Corp" as part of the U.S. Civil Defense Corps in Fort Wayne." She worked in the insurance field as a secretary to Carl M. Smith for 49 years, retiring in 1998. She was a member of the National Secretaries Association for 25 years and later the Retired Secretaries group. While a member of the local Tawasi Chapter of NSA, she served as various offerices and was co-chairman of the 1968 state meeting. She was named Secretary of the Year in 1957. She was currently a member of the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and a member of the Deborah Esther Circle. Previously, she was a member of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour where she sang in the choir, served as Lector, Communion Assistant, council member, and church Treasurer. She especially enjoyed family, friends, dogs, painting ceramics (which she did for over 40 years), baking, reading, and was an avid follower of IU basketball. Surviving family include her nieces and nephews, Mark Galland, Juli Jennings, Elaine Pottinger, Paulette Donnellon, and Paul Gentile; and cousins, Don Johnston, Beverly Doehrman, Sherry Fulbright, Beth Witte, and Scott Mertz. In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in passing by her brother, Paul E. Gardt; and sister, Nancy C. Gentile. A memorial service celebrating Lois will be 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at The Towne House Retirement Community Chapel. A private family graveside will be at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, The Towne House Retirement Community Chapel, or Humane Fort Wayne. Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne is caring for arrangements. Condolences and memories of Lois can be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com