Edna (Kerner) Fortman- Gerdeman

OTTAWA - Edna (Kerner) Fortman-Gerdeman, 102, died 9:08 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2015 at Putnam Heritage Assisted Living, Ottawa. She was born July 10, 1913 in Ottawa to Charles and Dorothy (Lammers) Kerner who preceded her in death. On October 26, 1935 she married Raymond A. Fortman who died June 28, 1964. On April 20, 1981 she married Paul Gerdeman, who died October 1985.

Edna was a homemaker and worked at the Ottawa-Glandorf cafeteria for 14 years. After graduating from Sts. Peter and Paul High School, she worked for a local lawyer for 5 years. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa and it's Rosary Altar Society, Catholic Ladies of Columbia, Catholic Daughters of America, and was a Minister of Praise. She was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2234 Auxiliary and the Senior Citizens, all of Ottawa. Edna belonged to many card clubs and was an avid O-G Titan fan, listening to every game broadcasted and televised. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She resided at Putnam Heritage Assisted Living in Ottawa for the last several years with her many friends. She was so thankful for the wonderful caregivers and all the employees who filled her life with so much joy.

Survivors include three sons: James (Alene) Fortman of Piqua, Thomas Fortman of Lakeview, and Daniel (Lynn) Fortman of Shelby; six daughters: Joyce (Eugene) Renzi of Sackets Harbor, NY, Phyllis Poulson of Stevensville, MI, Joan (Leonard) Ebbeskotte of Glandorf, Carol (Michael) Okuley of New Bavaria, Mariellen (Charles) Dorman of Vienna, VA, and Debra (Carey) Bryant of Marblehead; and a stepdaughter: Kay Kitchen of Columbus; thirty grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; sixteen step great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and four step great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son-in-law: Daniel Poulson; a daughter-in-law: Karen Fortman; a stepdaughter: Connie Gerdeman; a brother: Clarence Kerner; and eight sisters: Lucille Kerner, Elizabeth Wehinger, Ruth Mayberry, Lenore Swary, Julia Westerman, Marcella Swary, Rita Pierman, and Mary Jane Black.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Tony Fortman, Edna's grandson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm. on Tuesday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa, where a scripture service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.