Chris J. Gerth's Memorial

On June 20, 2018; Chris took his final breath. The love of my life is gone.

Chris was the kindest, most gentle man I have ever met. We had been together for 17 1/2 years, and in that time we had never had a fight, he never raised his voice to me or said anything cruel (the same went for me). We respected each other too much to do so. In just over 6 months time; we met, got engaged, he packed up and moved to Michigan, we got married and moved back to Alaska. It was the biggest risk either of us had ever taken, and by far, the best. We experienced so much together, hundreds of thousands of miles sitting next to each other in his F250, driving from AK to MI 3 times, to spending quiet nights at the boat launch, having bon fires, and just watching tv. Times I will miss him the most. I know that we all have our soul mate...Chris was mine, and he would have told you that I was his. I love him so much, and can't believe I'm never going to hear him say I love you again. 

We had celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 16th. He asked the activities director at the nursing home, if they would get a cake for me, from him. We talked and laughed and had a good time. The picture is from Sunday, when my mom and I went to see him.  He had text me later that night saying he had a nice visit with us. Monday and Tuesday were more difficult days.  When he didn't return my phone calls on Wednesday, I knew something wasn't right. So, I called the nursing home and they said they were taking him to the hospital. He never made it there. The last 2 hours of his life I was holding his hand, kissing his face, whispering in his ear...trying to get him to wake up. My mom was there with me, thankfully, as Chris passed away at 9:50 p.m. 

A handful of people have asked if they could help with Chris's final expenses, and I had to really think about this. He didn't have a life insurance policy, and money has always been tight for us. So I finally decided to go ahead and do a GoFundMe. Chris wanted to be cremated, so I did as he asked. I picked out a beautiful urn for his remains. I will be having a Memorial service at the church where we were married, by the Deacon who married us. It seems only fitting that he joined us in the eyes of God, that he should be the one who returns Chris's soul to God.

The Memorial Service will be at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores, MI on July 20, 2018.  Visitation at 9:30 a.m. and service to follow at 10 a.m.