Gertrude Bauer Clarke

CLARKE, Gertrude Bauer, was born in April 1934 in Heidelberg, Germany, and passed away September 24, 2009 in Richmond. She was the daughter of Charlotte Split Bauer and Bruno Bauer. She met and married Heath Christian Clarke Jr. while he was serving in the Navy and stationed in Heidelberg. Gertrude left her family and began a new life in America without knowing English. While learning the language and customs of her new country, she also studied and became an American citizen. Gertrude was recently widowed. She and Heath were married for 56 years. They had a relationship rarely seen in marriages of today. They supported each other in all decisions and enjoyed spending time together walking by the river. Gertrude was a caregiver. She took care of Heath's parents while raising three daughters. She took care of a good friend when she was stricken with cancer. Gertrude was a friend and confidant to others. She is survived by three daughters, Conway Blankenship (Ronnie), Gretel Mangigian (Wayne) and Irene Lattis (Mark); six grandchildren, Jay Clarke Blankenship, Heath Bauer Blankenship, Brett Christian Mangigian, Trey Stuart Mangigian, Emily Marie Lattis and Raymond Joseph Lattis; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Tayden Mangigian. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, September 28, at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America or a charity of your choice.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.