Gerda M. Fields' Obituary
Gerda M. Fields, 91, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth.
Gerda was born May 31, 1927, in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of Gustav and Emma (Balczuweit) Westermann. She lived through World War II in Germany and survived the Allied bombing of Berlin and in 1948 the Russian blockade during the Cold War. In 1947, while working for the British CCG (Control Commission German), Gerda met her future husband Lowell “Gene” Fields while he was stationed at Tempelhof Air Base in Berlin. Her last employment before coming to the United States was at the American Document Center.
Gene and Gerda were married on February 27, 1954, in Decatur. He passed away June 23, 2000. After moving to Decatur, Gerda found her first employment at Cruse Dental Laboratory where she remained until her graduation from Brown’s Business College. Through the following years she worked for Spencer Kellogg, Myers Industries and York Division of Borg-Warner until her retirement in 1989. Gerda is survived by her niece, Ingrid Pischem of Karlsruhe, Germany and niece, Linda Hebert of Denver Colorado; very special friends, Mari Curry, Joan Wyant and Norma Cooper; and her Pilgrim Lutheran Family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene of 46 years; her twin sister, Elli Welch and her sister, Hildegard Bolz.
Gerda cherished the blessings and love of her many friends during her long life. To have known her was to love her.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Gerda Fields will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday before the service, at the church. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Pilgrim Lutheran Church or Macon County Humane Society.
The family of Gerda Fields is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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