Barbara Jean Gerteisen

Barbara Jean (Nieten) Gerteisen, beloved wife, daughter, sister, and aunt, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Heart to Heart Hospice. She was born February 1, 1955 to William and Joyce Leonard Nieten.
Barb was proud of her professional career of over 36 years with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The majority of her career, she managed the facility needs of the Mt Vernon site, and in this capacity, she worked with countless maintenance technicians, contractors, and engineers. During her tenure, she was a mentor to many and built relationships which positively impacted many people's lives.
Barb was a former member of American Business Women's Association, American Horticulture Society, National Wildlife Federation, and the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association. Barb graduated from Central High School in 1973, and the University of Evansville. She was a member of Saint Joe County Parish. During her retirement, she enjoyed her involvement as a Director of the St Joe City Cemetery Board, and as a Director of the German Township Water District Board. She was an accomplished Gold Master Gardener, volunteering over 2000 hours and served as the Publicity Chair for many years. In 2021, she was awarded the Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year. She was selfless and passionate, finding a knack for helping others, and was involved in many philanthropic activities, going out of her way to give to others when the opportunity arose. She was a very strong person who had a love of life and a positive attitude.
Barb, along with her husband Cyril, loved to travel and made many annual trips to Las Vegas, Sarasota, and Gulf Shores. They also enjoyed visiting Hawaii, Italy, and Alaska. She was a voracious reader, a fabulous chef and hostess. Many enjoyed her home-made pickles, jelly, candy, and her Zesty Crackers. She looked forward to their annual Christmas Open House in which she sponsored a local charity chosen for that specific year. She was an avid genealogist who recorded and shared family history with extended cousins and others. She enjoyed working in their home gardens alongside her devoted husband who she adored. Each of us would do well to take a page from her book and recognize that life is what you make it. Her motto was "My glass is always half full".
Barb was preceded in death by her mother Joyce Nieten, her in-laws Clarence and Rita Niemeier Gerteisen, her beloved sister- in-law, Kathy Nieten, niece Carol Davis Nieten, and furbaby Ziggy.
Barb is survived by her loving husband, life companion, and best friend of 24 years, Cyril Thomas Gerteisen, Father William Nieten, her brother Joe Nieten of Darmstadt, IN; her nephew Chris Nieten and wife Crystal of Terre Haute, IN and their sons Levi, Blake, Dakota, and Colin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Mary Helen Gerteisen and their sons; her very special "bonus" son, Jason Pemberton of Lynnville, IN, her adorable cats Amos and Andy, and many cousins, and countless friends and acquaintances.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Rafat Abonour, IU Medical, and Dr. Vivian Cook, Evansville Oncology, for their support, knowledge, and care in the areas of Amyloidosis and Myeloma Cancer.
Friends may visit from 9 to 11 AM at Ziemer's Funeral Home Central Chapel Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Services will follow at 11 AM, followed by entombment at St. Joe Mausoleum. Officiating by Father Gene Schroeder.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cyril & Barb Gerteisen Landscape Endowment, St. Joe County Parish.
Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com