Geraldine (Schuster) Cross was born Nov. 8, 1926 and died April 30, 2016. She was born and raised in Detroit until her senior year in high school when her mother and father had purchased a farm in Fremont and moved her and her two brothers and sister. At the time Gerry lived in Detroit, her girlfriend, Joan Cross, had a brother named Ralph, and this is where the story begins. In March of 1943, Ralph Cross enlisted in the Army, WWII, and upon his safe return home in February 1946, he married Gerry that June.

Gerry was a secretary at Gerber Baby Foods until they started a family. They had three children, a son, Jim; a daughter, Debbie and a daughter, Laurie. They lived in Fremont until 1962 when the family moved to Traverse City. Gerry was a stay-at-home mom and her priority was caring for her family with much love. Her family grew and she now has eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Gerry is survived by her husband of 70 years, Ralph Cross; children, James (Onna), of Bradenton, Florida, Debra (Eric) Johnson, of Atlanta, Michigan, Laurie (Michael) Schulte, of Portage. Also surviving is Gerry's younger sister, Barbara Ross; and a younger brother, Michael Schuster, they live in Mancelona and Livonia respectively.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael Schuster and Barbara (Trost) Schuster; and her brother, Tom Schuster.

Gerry was very social and an active person and enjoyed many clubs and activities. She volunteered at Father Fred's for a number of years. She loved to be outside, to take walks, and she had a green thumb. All she needed to do was throw the seeds down on the ground and they would grow. Her final seed is her own and she is now growing in heaven.

Gerry lived her final year at Rehoboth Adult Foster Care, a very special home for women with Dementia. The family would like to say thank you to all the wonderful staff at Rehoboth and Hospice of South West Michigan for taking such good care of her.

Per Gerry's request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 6, at St Joseph Catholic Church, 12675 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI, with visitation beginning one hour before at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in her name to Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St., Traverse City, MI 49686, or Rehoboth AFC, 9505 Homerich Ave. Byron Center, MI 49315.

The family is being cared for by Stroo Funeral Home, Grand Rapids.