Geraldine Zetler

ELDRED — Gerry Zetler was born Dec. 9, 1924, to Lee Baker and Lillian Dolan Baker. She was the second child in a family of four and the first girl. She followed Don and then became an older sister to Richard and Dorothy. She grew up in Rixford and graduated from the Otto Junior-Senior High School in 1943. While the men in her graduating class were going off to war, she went to Mansfield State Teacher’s College for her bachelor’s degree and later on to Geneseo for her master’s. Gerry started her career at Otto-Eldred and finished it with Bradford School District.

While WWII was going on, Gerry spent summers working at the munitions plant in Eldred. She was one of the real Rosie the Riveters and proud of it. She later volunteered at the Eldred WWII Museum, telling her story to anyone who came through the doors.

After the war was over and her education completed, she married Merle (Bud) Zetler in a quiet ceremony in her family home surrounded by loved ones.

After 10 years of wedded bliss, it was time for a child. Suzy was born in May 1958. While she was busy with Suzy’s raising, she managed to find time to belong to many organizations.

Gerry belonged to the United Methodist Church in Duke Center, the Keystone Chapter of Eastern Star, Bradford Landmark Society and the Duke Center Garden and Study Club.

Gerry leaves behind a sister, Dorothy Kuhn; daughter, Suzy (Jim Zirkle); two grandchildren, Torrey (Olga) Frederick and Saree (Sam) Pearce; four great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Cooper, Parker and Walker Pearce; several nieces and nephews; and anyone whose life she may have touched.

Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday (March 28, 2024) at Duke Center United Methodist Church, where funeral services will immediately follow.  

Gerry was very community minded so we are asking that any memorials be made out to

Otto-Eldred Blessing Boxes. 

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