Geraldine "Gerri" A. Stechschulte
Kalida - Geraldine "Gerri" A. Stechschulte, 67, of Kalida died 4:18 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at her residence.  She was born May 10, 1945 in Lima to William and Helen (Kuhlman) Schmersal. Her mother is deceased. Her father, William and step-mother, Marie live in Kalida.  On May 13, 1993, she married Steve Stechschulte who survives in Kalida.
Gerri is also survived by her children: Suzanne Tate of Findlay; Malinda (Joe) Maag of Kalida;  Stephanie Bragg of Shelby; Denise (Jon) Martin of  Indianapolis and Jim (Jennifer) Stechschulte of Los Angeles; 11 grandchildren; 6 brothers: Eugene (Nancy) Schmersal of Kalida, Charles  (Robyn) Schmersal of Pandora, Robert (Mary Jo) Schmersal of Glandorf, Paul (Carolyn) Schmersal of Ottawa, Thomas (Diane) Schmersal of Cloverdale, Kevin (Beverly) Schmersal of Ottawa and 5 sisters: Patricia (Elie, deceased) Dallal of Worthington, Syvila (John) Nick and Mary (Bob) Sherman both of Florida, Lisa (Leroy) Schroeder of Miller City and Cynthia (Jay) Harden of Cygnet.
Gerri retired from interior decorating.  She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida.
No matter her age, Gerri faced each day with the wonder and innocence of a child, appreciating each sunrise as though she had never seen one before.  Throughout her life, she effortlessly became a mother and friend to everyone she met, seeing only the good and magnifying it for the rest of the world to see.  She spread beauty not only in the hearts of others, but in her gardens, too.  Smiling grandchildren among blooming flowers made her so happy you could practically see her heart swell.
We are grateful that we had as much time with you as we did, but we are absolutely awed by your strength, your stamina, and your will to live.  We love you and miss you so very much, but we take solace knowing that you are now happily redecorating your new room in God's house.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida, with Fr. Mark Hoying officiating.  Burial will follow in church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa where a scripture service will be held Monday evening at 6:30 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the Putnam County Home Care and Hospice Center.
Condolences may be sent to:  www.lovefuneralhome.com.

---