Margaret Alice Gerdes

July 20, 1932 - March 13, 2022

Heaven gained a feisty woman, Margaret Alice Gerdes, age 89, of Henderson, at 9:02 a.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Redbanks Nursing Home. Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Alice was a homemaker and caretaker throughout her early life. Her gardening was a highlight of her days. Family was always a priority, and they knew they were loved, though sometimes it was a tough love. As a dedicated mother to three, she had her hands full, but her children always had more than enough. As a grandmother she never let the grandkids win at anything and taught them how to be tough, even through their tears. Her beautiful piano playing will be missed by so many, as she could play any song by ear. Alice’s days of watching Family Feud and Let’s Make a Deal have set her up for winning in Heaven against those who have passed before her. In addition to her parents Lewman and Lena Austin, Alice was preceded in death by her husband Norman Gerdes, daughter Sherry Clark, and son Larry Gerdes. Alice is survived by her daughter Mary Dunham (John) of Henderson, KY; 5 grandchildren: Jason Pennington (Marisa), Kevin Clark (Sarah), Krissy Braden, Kelsi Dunham, and Jake Dunham; 8 great grandchildren: Avery, Max, Klayton, Karter, Shawn, Owen, Austyn, Evie, and Gray; nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to Alice’s Life Celebration, wearing their red in honor of Alice’s favorite color, from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Community Baptist Church in Henderson, KY. The memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Dr. Tim Hobbs officiating. A graveside committal will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Ditney Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Norris City, IL. The dedicated staff at Redbanks Nursing Home South Unit and St. Anthony’s Hospice treated Alice as their own grandmother, and her family is forever grateful. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of memorial contributions to Henderson Christian Community Outreach at PO Box 363 Henderson KY 42419. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.