Catherine (Marascia) Gerdeman

Catherine (Katie) Gerdeman, of Lima, OH passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Springview Manor. Katie outlived all her family members and friends of her generation. She was ready to join them for her homegoing celebration in heaven.

Katie was born April 17, 1931 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Giuseppe (Joe) and Geneviere (Jennie) Marascia who preceded her in heaven. The family moved to Lima in early in 1932 making Lima their permanent home. Her sister (Jean) joined the family in May that year and their mother passed away two years later. The girls were raised in the children’s home in Shawnee Township until their early teens when they joined their father in the predominantly Italian south end of Lima. The Marascia girls were beautiful, kind, fun loving, hard working, caring young woman who embraced life to the fullest. The sisters were best friends and had a special bond that lasted a lifetime.

Katie’s first marriage to James Franks, bore a son Jimmy and was short lived. On June 27, 1953 she married the love of her life Thomas Gerdeman. Her second son, Dino Thomas, was born on May 10, 1961. Dino shared his birth date with his beloved Aunt Jean. Katie worked at Excello/Textron in Lima for 30+ years retiring in 1991 along with her friend Phyllis “Red” Fidele. They went to work early every day to play Euchre before their first shift and again at lunch time. The stories they told about work were filled with antics and fun. Katie loved to tell the retirement day story when she and Red walked around to all the Executive offices to give them the one finger Italian victory salute on their way out.  

Katie will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind son Jimmy Franks (Joyce Warnecke), granddaughter Tina Sulzmann (Tom), grandson Michael Franks, great grandson James Sulzmann, nieces Debe Kincl (Jim). Gina Page, Katy Page (Bob Duval), Mindy Xavier, Andrea Ballou, Katie Fortman, nephews Zach Gerdeman, Matthew Gerdeman, sisters-in- law Joyce Gerdeman and Dianne, close friends Nancy Franks Griffith, Cheryl Davisson and Colleen Tilly Stoner.

In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by brother Pietro Marascia, sister Jean Page, son Dino, grandson Jimmy Franks, sisters in law Linda, Dianne, brothers in law, Jimmy Page, Don Finke, Wayne, Roger, Urban “Erbie” Gerdeman, Tim Fortman.

The family will receive friends from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at HANNEMAN-SIFERD FUNERAL HOME, 506 N Cable Rd, Lima Ohio. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00pm. Fr. Dave Ross will officiate. Please go to: www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com to express online condolences or to order floral or other tributes. Hanneman-Siferd Funeral Home is honored to serve Katie’s family.

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