Marjorie Joyce Gerhardt

Marjorie Carlson Gerhardt was born on September 15, 1936 to Barbara (Miller) and Carl Oscar Carlson in the northern Illinois town of Libertyville. She was the fourth of five children born to the well-established Libertyville family, where Carl served as the Village Clerk for 40years. In addition to caring for her children, Barbara initially taught in the town's elementary school and subsequently became the town's Librarian.

A bright, inquisitive and diligent student. Marge graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics from Syracuse University. She followed her mother into teaching and spent 20 years as a math instructor at both the Warren Township high school and Niles Township high school in Illinois.

Ultimately, Marge returned to school and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. She later became a Financial Advisor for over a decade. She frequently noted that it was a wonderful profession "always being able to help people achieve their financial goals".

Through the years, she pursued her love of travel, visiting countless countries on several continents. Among her most cherished memories are trips to several European and Asian counties, Egypt, Africa (where she recalled that she rode a camel named "Whiskey"), Sweden (of course) and the Nordic countries, Russia and South America where she travelled through the Amazon. She happily talked about the fact that she visited, hiked and toured each of the 50 states in the USA.

Retirement gave Marge time to pursue her love of games, bowling, cards and particularly Bridge. She was proud of that, although she was not a Grand Master, she achieved up to level 15 and played in local and state tournaments.

In addition to her love of family, Marge cared deeply for the poor and all species of animals by donating generously to various charities throughout her lifetime.

Moving to Cottonwood in 2008, Marge joined the Spirit of Joy Congregation where she was a Charter member. She served on various SOJ committees during the building of the current church in Clarkdale and as a member of the Church Council.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert and sisters, Beatrice and Helen, and is survived by her brother, Glenn, along with nine nieces and nephews. They are Brian, Walter, and Diana Carlson, Eric and Rick Hanson, Patricia Ehlert, Mary Burdette, Janice Bole and Suzanne Liermann.

Services will be held at Spirit of Joy Church at a date and time that will be announced later.