Gerda (Kienitz) Hagenau, 86, went home to be with Jesus on August 23, 2019 at The Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Denver.  Gerda was a long-time resident of Rocky Ford until 1993 when she moved to Denver to be closer to her children.Â

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Gerda was born in Oseln, Latvia July 16, 1933 to Friedrich and Hulda (Radke) Kienitz. She was the oldest of 5 children followed by Leonard Kienitz of Lakewood, CO, Harry Kienitz of Pueblo, CO, the late Helmut Kienitz of La Junta, CO and Rosemarie Reynolds of Pueblo West, CO.Â

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The family lived in Latvia, near the town of Riga, when during WWII they were forced to move to Poland. Eventually they were allowed to make their way to Berlin and from there to West Germany near Hanover at the end of the war.  That is where our parents met.  Erhard would join the Kienitz family often bringing his accordion to sing songs of praise and worship in a shared love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

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In 1952, Gerda's parents and siblings qualified for relocation to the USA through the displaced persons program.  However, since Gerda was 19, she could stay in Germany.  But her parents would not allow her to stay behind alone, so in April 1952, Gerda and Erhard Adelbert Hagenau were married.  They had three children in Germany prior to moving to the United Sates in March 1958; Hans Jurgen Hagenau of Canon City, CO, Ingrid Hagenau Bush of Fleming, CO and Renate Griffith of Ozark, AR.  They joined Gerda's family in Ordway before moving to Rocky Ford a short time later.  The last of five children were born in Rocky Ford; Linda Dorothy Mahnken of Seattle, WA and Carola Edith DeRosa of Castle Rock, CO.

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Gerda was a homemaker completely devoted to the love of her life, our father, who was employed by the City of Rocky Ford from 1961 until his death in 1978.  Her children and grandchildren were her passion; nothing made her life more complete.  She had many hobbies from playing her harmonica and singing to games, cooking, crocheting, her garden and various collections. She loved Jesus with her heart and soul and now is free with Him in Heaven in the arms of her beloved husband.Â

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Gerda was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Herman and Rosa Hagenau, husband, sister Elle Kienitz, brother Helmut Kienitz, brother-in-law Don Reynolds and five grandchildren.  She leaves behind her five beloved children, eleven stepchildren, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, three siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Viewing and funeral services are open to the public.  Viewing will be held on Friday, between 5:00 to 7:00 pm August 30, 2019 at Ford-Ustick Funeral Home, 305 N 8 th  Street, Rocky Ford.  On Saturday morning the funeral service will be held in the Freewill Church, 500 S. 9th, Rocky Ford, on Saturday, August 31 st  at 10:00 am with Pastor Tim Muth presiding.  A reception will follow the service at the church.  Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery on Tuesday at 10:00 am, September 3, 2019.

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Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford – Ustick Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be sent to  www.fordustick.com