Gaetgens, Gerda F.

Gerda Frieda Gaetgens, 90, of Farmington, CT, widow of Ronald H. Gaetgens, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on February 19, 2024. Gerda, known as “Nana” by her loved ones, was born on May 17, 1933 in Germany. She was the daughter of the late Adolph and Elise Gerbitz.

Gerda spent her childhood years on her family's farm in Germany where she lived with her parents and grandparents. During World War II, she fled her home with her mother and brother and settled in Schlutup, Germany where she met and married her husband, Ronald. They moved to the United States from Germany in 1958 and eventually settled in Southington, Connecticut to raise their family. Gerda worked a variety of jobs while taking care of their children and in 1984 Ron and Gerda opened “Ron's Auto” in Berlin, Connecticut where she worked until her retirement.

Gerda was very proud of her German heritage, both she and Ron were original members of the Austrian Donau Club in New Britain, Connecticut. She was also a member of the Austrian Donau Singing Society for many years where she formed lifelong friendships. Ron and Gerda were avid travelers after their retirement. They spent their winters at their condo in Venice, Florida and the remainder of the year at their home in Sharon, Vermont where she was involved in several organizations. Gerda always stayed busy whether she was gardening, quilting, knitting, playing cards or volunteering. She was known for her delicious German cooking and was always asked to make ‘Nana's Potato Salad' for every picnic. Gerda made lasting friends wherever she went and will be greatly missed by all her friends in Vermont, Florida and at Village Gate in Connecticut. Gerda's greatest love was for her family, her grandchildren meant the world to her.

Gerda is survived by her son, Ronald D. Gaetgens and his wife, Linda; daughter, Robin (Gaetgens) Caron and her husband, Paul; grandchildren Corey Caron and his wife, Samantha, Kyle Caron, Kristen Gaetgens and her fiancé, William Schwartz, and Jessica Gaetgens. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Monika Marchlewski and her husband, Gerhard, sister-in-law, Inge Schalk, and brother-in-law, Detlef Mauss; and cousins Michael and Lorraine Ditz and Brigitta Kozak. Besides her husband and parents, Gerda was predeceased by her brother, Dietrich Gerbitz, and sister-in- law, Astrid Mauss.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 10:00-11:30am at Zion Lutheran Church, located at 531 Woodruff St. in Southington, Connecticut, followed by a funeral service at 11:30am. A private burial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 (www.heart.org). EricksonHansen Funeral Home in New Britain is handling the arrangements. Please share a memory of Gerda with the family in the online guestbook at www.ericksonhansen.com