Gerda Cumbow

Gerda Cumbow, 100, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026. She was born on July 28th, 1925, near Zwickau, Germany. She came to America in the 1950s, married her husband David in Detroit and the family settled in suburban Chicago. After David's untimely passing she went on to raise her four children in their Clarendon Hills home. She kept her family ties to Germany with many visits abroad while also forging new connections and friendships in Michigan, Illinois, Washington and Oregon.

In 1986, Gerda retired to Florida which became the launching pad for many fearless road trips. She loved driving across the country without a care in the world, sharing her beloved America with her kids and visitors from Europe. In her younger years she enjoyed hiking and camping, earning the nickname “Lightning Gerda” for her ability to start campfires in the rain. She windsurfed at 75, and rode her bicycle until age 85.

She loved to play games. She was proud of beating almost every challenger at Scrabble and Words with Friends well into her nineties. She loved Wizard, Uno, and Kings in the Corner. Gerda was a kid at heart – always quick to join children in pretend play, Legos, drawing and general silliness.

She believed college was a privilege, earning her associates degree in her fifties as her youngest daughter was finishing high school. In Florida, she audited college courses to learn Spanish. While she was a self-described average cook, she was always ready to pitch in with meal prep and cleanup.

She had a great sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye. Gerda was a storyteller, loved a good party, and joined in songs and toasts with joy. Everyone looked forward to her visits.

She is survived by her children, Len, Steve (Kristy), Susan, and Margret, seven grandchildren, Esther, Jonathan, Katerina, Alison, Amy, Adrian and David, seven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews on both sides of the Atlantic. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband David and grandson Martin. God bless you, Gerda. You are with Jesus, now.