Thea Ingeborg Gerlach

Thea Ingeborg Schindler Gerlach, born to Alma Johann Ferris Schindler and Theresa (Thea) Maria Lang Schindler in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 3, 1926, returned to the arms of her parents on August 28, 2017.  Thea was known as “Inge” during her childhood, and was an only child. During her childhood, she lived in Tooele and Salt Lake City, Utah and in the Chicago, Illinois area during the Great Depression.

Thea graduated from South High School where she was an active participant in the Civil Air Patrol. She participated with her father and uncle in the Utah Rifle Club.  Thea attended the University of Utah where she obtained her nursing degree.  After graduation, she joined United Airlines as a stewardess.

Work with the airline led to her Denver, Colorado where she met a handsome young member of the Air Force, Harry B. Gerlach, who became the love of her life.  They were married in Denver, then sealed a short time later in the Salt Lake Temple.  Their first son, Ben, was born in Denver before a transfer to San Antonio, Texas, where their second child, Gail, was born.  Harry left the Air Force and the family moved to Utah where Tricia, Richard, Valarie, and Russel were born.

Thea and Harry lived initially in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City. In the late 1950s, they built a home in the Val Verda area of Bountiful. The home and yard were later affectionately dubbed Gerlach Park by family and friends.  The home became a center of activity for the busy neighborhood of young families.  Thea and Harry moved their children to California for a few years during the 1960s, but returned to Gerlach Park where all felt they belonged.

Thea used her nursing skills both in Utah and California.  She worked at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City and South Davis Community Hospital in Bountiful.  She was active in her LDS faith and was a diligent visiting teacher.

Thea loved working in her yard, cooking family recipes and participating in family vacations.  She loved trying new crafts and was an avid seamstress.  She was a gracious hostess for the many family reunions and holiday celebrations held at Gerlach Park.

Thea’s health challenges were her greatest earthly trial. Arthritis was the cause for multiple hip replacements, spinal stenosis and a failed back surgery that took away her ability to walk without a cane or walker. Thea struggled with failing eyesight due to macular degeneration.  However, through the years, Thea did her best to be as independent as possible.  When the big house, with all its stairs and Gerlach Park was more than Thea and Harry could handle, they made the hard decision to sell and move to smaller digs.  Continued health problems made it necessary for Thea to move to Heritage Place Senior Living in Bountiful, where she passed away.

Thea was preceded in death by her parents and three grandchildren.  She is survived by her husband, Harry B. Gerlach, her children Ben (Vicki) Gerlach, Gail (Ian) Sampson, Tricia (Jim) Lindorff, Richard (Trish) Gerlach, Valarie (Mark) Jolly, and Russel (Karen) Gerlach; 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

The family thanks Dr. Gregoire, Shasta, and Anne from Envision Home Health for their hospice services over the last couple of months, as well as the staff at Heritage.   Thea’s life was enriched due to their loving care.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the North Canyon 2nd Ward LDS Church, 3350 South 100 East, Bountiful Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday morning at the church prior to the services from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.