Janine Charlotte Gerhardt

On May 4, 2015, a gentle rain washed morning, the angels came to claim Janine for their own. She had endured declining health since December which she faced courageously and graciously. Her love for those around her never wavered.

Janine was born to Louis and Marie Louise Castrique in Lille, France on December 16, 1925. She married Russell Gerhardt in 1945 and came to America on one of the war bride ships in 1946. They made their home on the KC Plaza. She worked for the Boy Scouts of America for 37 years. Janine loved sailing and painting and she was an avid tennis player and swimmer and loved attending the opera.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister and her husband of 58 years. She is survived by her sister Therese Castrique of Kansas City, nephew Frederick Castrique of Lille, France, niece Beverly Howard and husband Ed of Edmond, Oklahoma, great-nephews Justin Mapes of Oklahoma City and Andrew Mapes of Dallas, Texas, and special dear longtime friend John Coleman.

Janine dearly loved her family and friends. Donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 and to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64137.

Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road.