Ruth Gerdes

Ruth Elizabeth Peterson Gerdes, 90, of Chattanooga went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.She was born on April 8, 1920 in Del Rio, Texas. Mrs. Gerdes was a graduate of the University of Chattanooga. She married W.L. "Buddy" Gerdes on Feb. 14, 1940. She was a member of Tyner United Methodist Church. Ruth was a longtime board member of Pro Re Bona Day Care and a member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. She served for many years on the Salvation Army Board and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Alumni Council.Preceded in death by husband of 63 years, W.L. "Buddy" Gerdes.Survived by son, Ken (Peggy) Gerdes, of Macon, Ga.; daughter, Becky Gerdes Baker, of Chattanooga; daughter, Ann (Bill) Schneider, of Barnhart, Mo.; grandchildren, Lee Gerdes (Jan) of Macon, Ga.; Kelley (Charlie) Keller, of Buffalo, N.Y., Alyson (Chase) Tunnell, Ashley Boren, Amanda (Jason) Campbell, all of Chattanooga, Stephanie Schneider, of Tucson, Ariz., and Michael Schneider, of Festus, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Alex Gerdes, Chaz and Kendall Keller, Camden and Cooper Tunnell; sister, Mary Margaret Strickland, of San Antonio, Texas; brothers, James Peterson, of Aiken, S.C., and George Peterson, of Houston, Texas.Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2011, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dr. Robert Haskins and Rev. Glenn Moseley officiating.The family will receive friends from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.Memorial contributions may be made to Tyner United Methodist Church Care Bears, 6805 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, or to the Salvation Army, 822 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.