Melissa Ann Farley Gerdts

Melissa Ann (Farley) Gerdts was called home to God on January 11, 2017 at the age of 43.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM Tuesday, January 17 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca. Visitation, with a viewing, will be 4:00 - 8:00 PM Monday, January 16 at the Starkson & Steffel Funeral Home ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca with Rosary beginning at 8:00 pm, and one hour prior to the service with the Urn present at Church. Interment will be in the St. Joseph's Cemetery of Waldorf at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota or to the family.
Melissa was born December 31, 1973 to Robert and Maureen (Bagan) Farley. She graduated from JWP High School in 1993 and continued on to Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, MN where she pursued her passion as a care provider. On September 12, 1998, Melissa was united in marriage with Todd Gerdts at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca.
After college, Melissa went on to work at Elm Homes for 16 years. Throughout her career, and life, Melissa demonstrated an immense amount of compassion for people in need. She was a proud member of the Catholic Daughters at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. Melissa was a strong supporter of epilepsy research and education.
Melissa was the 3rd youngest of 6 girls and a proud aunt to many nieces and nephews. She cherished time spent with her family and she could always be counted on to support them.
Melissa was known for her caring spirit, contagious smile and witty sense of humor. She enjoyed playing bingo, trying her luck at the casino and hunting with her husband Todd. She was kind and genuine with a heart of gold. Melissa loved to laugh, and even more so, loved to make those around her laugh.
Melissa is survived by her loving husband, Todd, her father, Robert (Rosalie), her sisters; Bridget, Jane (Jason), Sharon (Marc), Erin (Terry) and Meghan, her nieces and nephews, her special friend Donna, her best friend Margie, her dog Bella, several aunts and uncles, and many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her mother; Maureen, Niece; Brittany, and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota or to the family.