After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in accounting, she joined Union Pacific in Omaha, Nebraska. She enjoyed working with her family of Union Pacific colleagues for 30 years. She retired in 2020 as Assistant Vice President - Financial Reporting.
She was an avid golfer and she loved to travel spending time on the beach.
After an 18 year long fight with cancer, Michelle passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 15th, 2024. She is preceded by her father, Joseph Riesenberg.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Gerhardt; her sons, Jared and Michael Gerhardt; her mother, Diane Kovarna (Gary); and her sister, Chris Tomlinson (Dave).
The honorary pallbearers include Jennifer Hamann, Wendy Whalen, Shan Ray, Mary Oberg, Mike Staffenbeal, and Jamie Fraser.
A visitation for Michelle will be held Friday, July 26, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 PM.
Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.