Gerri Comden, 68

Geraldine “Gerri” M. Comden, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, October 26, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, after suffering a sudden illness.
She was born May 27, 1953 in Detroit, daughter of Norby and Rita Ortmann.
Gerri married the love of her life, Charles “Charlie” Comden on May 26, 1973 at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. They lived in Sturgis their entire married life and in the same home for 37 years until Charlie’s death in 2015. She remained in the family home until her death. Gerri moved to Sturgis in childhood and was raised by her loving parents alongside her cherished siblings.
She served others through positions at a variety of places including the Sturgis Journal, Sturgis High School, Sturgis Township (as clerk), and Holy Angels Catholic Church. She also always remained fond of one of her first jobs at Bisel’s Nickel & Dime where one of her customers became her husband.
She was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and enjoyed being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend to many. She had a smile that warmed many hearts. She was always generous with her time and treasure. She loved communicating with her grandchildren, though preferred written letters since technology was the only thing she couldn’t turn into a friend.
Her earthly presence will be greatly missed by her surviving friends and family including her children: Chris (Jessie) Comden of Vestaburg, Kevin (Jennifer) Comden of Grand Haven and Kim Ware of Sturgis; eight grandchildren: Jonathan, Alexis, Dillan, Nick, Jeremiah, Anna-Marie, Claire and Cooper; brother: Len (Beth) Ortmann, of Sturgis and Jim Ortmann of Sturgis; aunt Cathy Strzalkowski, of Ferndale; uncle Jerry (Nancy) Ortmann, of Coldwater along with several beloved cousins, niece and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother: Thomas (infant), sister: Judy Schroeder and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws whom she cared for very much.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:30 P.M. Monday, November 1st at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284 where the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
will be prayed at 7:30 P.M. Monday. The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Gerri Comden will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 2nd at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father Richard Altine and the Rev. Father Andrew Raczkowski celebrants. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Gerri’s memory consider the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 402 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.