Age 81 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Nancy Wagner, and stepfather Stanley Newel. She was survived by her loving husband Neil of 54 years; and her children, Lori Kaemmer and Craig (Beth) Walter; grandchildren, Molly (Daniel) Lyons, Max Walter, Joshua Kaemmer, Ryan Kaemmer and Ethan Kaemmer; sister, Jo (Mike) Lewis; nieces, Kim (Rod) Webb and Michelle (Greg) Lewis-Savino.

Gerri was a 1961 graduate of St. Paul Harding High School.  She graduated from Northwestern School of Nursing in Minneapolis in 1964. Gerri’s nursing career of thirty plus years encompassed different areas of nursing including gynecology and cardiology, however, psychiatric care was her favorite.  In her later nursing years, she changed her focus to teaching and educating. Gerri met her husband to be Neil in 1966 and they were married in 1970 at St. John’s Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.  They made their home in Inver Grove Heights for fifty plus years where they raised their two children.

Gerri was very enthusiastic about her relationship with God and was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She volunteered countless hours with choir, being eucharistic minister, a member of the ugly quilt club, member of the finance committee, and actively involved in fundraising for the new church.

Gerri retired in 1998 where she could spend more time on her interests and hobbies.  These included: being a member of the St. Paul Harding reunion committee, teaching adults how to read English, doing needle point, cross stitch, and sewing.  She also enjoyed cooking her favorite Italian dishes for her family, socializing with her friends, neighbors and family and especially her weeklong vacation at 8th Crow Wing Lake.  The love that she had for her grandchildren was abundantly apparent by the various activities she shared with them and the joyous smile they brought to her face.

Gerri’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Therese of Woodbury and St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Saturday, October 26th at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St. E., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to Mass. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials preferred to the American Diabetes Association.