Bobette Merrick Goerdt

Bobette Estelle Merrick Goerdt was born September 16, 1922 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the second child of Helen and Herbert Ross Merrick. Some of her most fond memories are when she and our mother would sing together on Saturday morning. Our mother played the old favorites--"Kiss in the Dark" "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" etc. and Bobbi sang harmony. Bobette graduate from Roosevelt High School and worked briefly for a Des Moines insurance company. It was war time and she felt the need to do her part. She and her friend enlisted into the WAVES. She served two years. After the war she continued her education at The University of Iowa. She met a young law student Charles N. Goerdt and they were married in 1945. A year later their first child Merrick Goerdt was born. Charles received his degree in law and moved his small family to LaCrosse, WI where they raised five children three boys and two girls. They continue to reside in LaCrosse. Bobbi is a talented artist creating with watercolors and needle and yarn. As the family became more independent Bobette reentered the academic life to become an art teacher. She later received her masters degree in Library Science and became a Media Specialist in the LaCrosse Public Schools.

After eighteen years of teaching she retired to pursue her personal endeavors of art. Beside their five children she and Charles have six grand children. I want to commemorate my sister for her strength of character in the face of adversity. Her faith and love have been an example to us all.

5/20/94