Gerda Mercer

Gerda Mercer passed away unexpectedly on August 19th from the aftermath of a heart attack at the age of 93. She was born on May 28, 1928, in Edigheim, Germany, and was the third oldest of six children born to Karl and Anna Bauer. Gerda was only 11 when her mother died. Her father remarried. From that marriage came two more siblings. The following years were to be marked by sacrifice and hardship for the entire Bauer family.

After World War II, Gerda met her future husband Clifton, a US Army soldier who had been deployed to Germany. Gerda gave birth to two sons there: John in 1954 and Marc in 1958. The family was stationed twice to Fort Dix, New Jersey and was joined by Gerda’s youngest sister, Mechthilde, in 1960. Being married to a service man meant that Gerda often had to take charge of moving the family and the household. In 1962, Clifton was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, which meant yet another change for Gerda and family. 1968 brought a new addition to the family: a baby girl named Tammy. After two further duty assignments to Germany in 1969 and 1982, Colorado Springs was to remain Gerda’s final residence.

In addition to caring for her three children, Gerda still found time to work full time at the International Typographical Union as a data operator and also at Current, Inc. Through hard work and sacrifice, Gerda and Clifton were able to purchase two beautiful homes in Colorado Springs that provided ample room and comfort for everyone in the family.

Throughout her life, Gerda tried to compensate for the years of privation and lack of affection she had to endure with her stepmother in war-torn Germany by embracing her family with unbridled love and generosity. She was somebody who truly enjoyed life, which makes her sudden absence all the more painful for her family. Gerda loved the Colorado mountains; she enjoyed traveling, cooking, and entertaining guests.

Gerda was a truly dedicated and compassionate mother who was willing to go that extra mile and make any sacrifice for the happiness and well-being of her family. She will be remembered by family and friends for her hospitality and humor and above all for her kindness, and generosity. Gerda is survived by her two sons, John and Marc, her daughter Tammy, and her four grandchildren Miranda, Matt, Jordan, and Britney.

Gerda will be laid to rest next to her husband, Clifton, at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral date is pending.

Bis wir uns wiedersehen, halte Gott Dich fest in seiner Hand.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialgardensfuneralhome.com for the MERCER family.