Geraldine Schwaderer

Geraldine "Gerry" Anna Schwaderer, 82, of Wasilla, died July 18, 2010, in Anchorage.

A private family visitation will be held in Anchorage, with a graveside service to be held at Indianfields Cemetery in Caro, Mich.

She was born Oct. 27, 1927, in Caro, Mich., to the late Clarence and Parnel Montague. She attended business school and worked as a secretary until she married George Schwaderer, also of Caro, in 1947. They started a family in Caro and had three children. The family lived in Caro, Houghton, Manistee and Alpena, Mich., before embarking on the adventure of moving to Alaska in 1960. In Juneau, they raised their three children and made many lifelong friends. They moved in Anchorage in 1970, then to Wasilla in 1984. While her heart was in making a loving home for her family, she also worked at the library and for Northern Commercial Co. while in Juneau, then for her husband's engineering firm until they retired in 1999.

Gerry enjoyed playing bridge, doing needlework, reading, music and old movies, but most of all she loved time shared with her family and friends.

She is survived in Alaska by her three children and their spouses, Carol (Doug) Dickinson, Fred (Leslie) Schwaderer, and Patty (Jim) Robar; grandchildren, Joshua Dickinson, Bridget (John) Atchison, Hilary Schwaderer, Gillian (Chris) Wright, Kevin Robar and Cheryl (Kris) Hartbauer; great-grandchildren, Lili and Tacy Atchison, Alexia, Colton and Baylor Wright; niece, Michelle (Jim) Bates; and extended family out of state including brother, Richard Montague in Georgia, sisters-in-law, Evelyn Montague, Doris Schwaderer in Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, George, in December 2008; and her brothers, Donald and Robert.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Anchorage; www.akheritage.com.