Mary E. Gerding

Mary Elizabeth Gerding, 93, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 with her family at her side. She was born October 16, 1919 on Kiger Island, south of Corvallis, to Adolf and Lucy King Fromherz. A life-long resident of the Willamette Valley, working on the family farm on Kiger Island until age six and then in Lebanon through her early years; attending both grade and high school in Lebanon; and working as a nurse at the Lebanon Hospital. On October 12, 1941 she married Leo Gerding of Corvallis who preceded her in death in 1985 after forty-four wonderful years of marriage. After Leo’s service in the Navy during WWII, Mary and Leo settled in Corvallis where they raised their family. Mary worked in Corvallis throughout their marriage: originally working many years at Gerding’s Grocery, followed by ten years as the Manager of the China Department at Lipman and Wolfe, and concluding with numerous years as a needlepoint instructor at Linn-Benton Community College. She always enjoyed her time with family and friends. Her hobbies included sewing, needlepoint, knitting, gardening, and cooking. She was very active, enjoying her walks and riding her stationary bicycle. She loved to play cards and was well-known for her unique ability to remember and share her endless jokes. Mary’s original family extends back to the mid-1800’s as residents of the Willamette Valley. She is a direct descendent (great-great granddaughter) of Nahum and Sorepta King, who settled in King’s Valley in 1846 and for whom King’s Valley is named. Her great grandfather, Solomon King, was Sheriff of Benton County from 1876 to 1886. Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father, all eight of her brothers and sisters, and her husband. She is survived by her five children and their families: daughter and son-in-law Janet and Richard King of Newberg, son and daughter-in-law Dick and Sandy Gerding of Corvallis, twin daughters and son-in-laws Kathy and Dennis Martin of Albany and Karen and David Raskin of Grants Pass, and son and daughter-in-law Ken and Robbi Gerding of Portland; eleven grand-children; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. Mary was a devoted lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church following her Baptism there in 1919. A Rosary/Vigil will take place at 7:00 pm, Friday June 14th at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A funeral mass is planned for 11:00 am, Saturday June 15th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th Street in Corvallis. The casket will be open one hour prior to the mass. Private burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mary Gerding can be made to Benton Hospice, or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330

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Mary E. Gerding

October 16, 1919 - June 5, 2013