Geraldine Rose Hacker

GERALDINE “GERRIE” ROSE HACKER  93, passed away at the Hanson Hospice Center on March 6, 2015 after a short illness. Gerrie was born in Beatty’s Corner, Cool Spring Township, LaPorte County, Michigan City, Indiana on September 27, 1921, to John and Elsie (Schmidt) Deutscher.  The family moved to Michigan and Royalton Township in the late 1920’s.  She never left the area.  She was a 1939 graduate of St. Joseph High School.  She married LeRoy A. Hacker on November 10, 1945 with 250 guests attending the wedding.  That marriage produced two sons.  In the early years, the family of four fruit farmed in Royalton Township.  She wasn’t a “farmer’s wife”.  She WAS a farmer in every capacity! Gerrie still found the time to be a loving mother, wife and friend to all three of the men in her life and somehow still managed to farm 24/7 until retiring from farming in 1985. This is our Mom in whom we were always well pleased- A classy and gentle but strong mother, wife, friend and faithful in her knowledge of the Lord and His promise of life everlasting.  Known to many as “Gerrie”, her husband, LeRoy, lovingly called her “jelly bean” (Gerrie Bean).  Like most Americans during WWII she left her office job at the Berrien County Abstract Office to work on the aircraft and truck lines at the Kawneer Plant, in Niles and contributed to the war effort.  She was one of many “Rosie the Riveters”. Gerrie was a consummate cook and baker, attending classes to learn decorating techniques which she proudly used to design, bake and decorate her boys’ four layer wedding cakes, birthday cakes and much more.  She loved to dance, host parties, entertain her friends, play cards and games.  She was a charter member of the Royalton Township women’s groups, The Dashing Dozen and The Extension Club, social and benevolent groups of rural, mostly farm gals, that formed in 1956 and still meet to this day.  Gerrie loved her church and Lutheran upbringing.  She was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church.  One of her passions was the church’s quilting group where she designed most of the quilts made, even as late as January 22, 2015, some of which go around the world for world missions.  She loved to dance and often said the reason she married LeRoy was because he was the best dancer in the County!  Gerrie was a 4-H leader and she and LeRoy taught square dancing.  She was still dancing on her 93rd birthday while celebrating at the Grand Hotel Ballroom on Mackinaw Island! Survivors include, her son and his wife, Larry Hacker and Nan, “the daughter she never had and loved” of Stevensville, granddaughter Ashlee Hacker of Stevensville, daughter-in-law Penny Hacker, dearest and beloved niece Devona (Ralph) Dinges; nephews Robert Dixon and David Radtke and their families (great and great great nieces and nephews), special cousins Kenny Schadler and Terri (Mike) Smith, her entire Peace Lutheran Church family along with her many many special friends and neighbors and her 15 year old cat named “Paws”. Active until late January, Gerrie insisted on living alone in the house her husband built in 1945.  She still drove, especially to Sandra Kay’s bakery every morning they were open, did her own grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning and flower gardening.  Although the spirit was still willing, her heart was tired.  Gerrie had a full life, lots of stories and seemed to remember details of the past far beyond the scope of human understanding. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, March 10 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph.  Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale.  You may visit with the family at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph on Monday March 9th between 5 p.m. and 7 pm.  Those wishing to sign Gerrie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, Gerrie’s wishes were to make donations to Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph, MI, noting the “Quilters Fund” or to the Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, MI. Gerrie was predeceased by her mother and father, husband LeRoy in 2000, son Daryl W. Hacker in 2011, sister Eulalia Radtke in 2012, her niece Karen Dixon  in 2012, and her “boyfriend” for 10 of the last 13 years Clarence “Buck” Schadler in 2012.