Martha "Marty" Elizabeth Gerdt was born on March 2, 1938, in Gary Indiana. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Marty worked as a CNA during high school at St. Mary's Hospital in Gary, Indiana, and graduated from Crown Point High School in 1956. After High School she received a 3 yr. Registered Nurse diploma from Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago. She completed her education with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Illinois Circle Campus in 1975.

Marty worked in Chicago for 20 years at Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital (now Northwestern University Hospital/Rush Presbyterian Hospital), Chicago Children's Hospital, and in the office of Dr. V.J. O'Conor. Then Marty moved to Milwaukee and worked as a supervisor at St. Mary's Burn Center for 3 years. After that, Marty moved to Shawano, Wisconsin for the final 30+ years of her life.  She worked as a nurse for the Stockbridge Munsee Health Clinic, Homme Residential Treatment Center, Bellin Health Psychiatric Center in Green Bay, nursing supervisor at Shawano Hospital, as a School Nurse for the Gresham School District, and for the College of the Menominee Nation teaching home health aides and CNAs in their nursing program.

Marty held a special place in her heart for others: she fostered several teenage boys, volunteered numerous hours at Navarino Nature Center, Safe Haven, Sam 25, and the Shawano Schools. She loved the many cats and dogs that she tenderly cared for many years. Marty truly lived a life of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry G. Gerdt and Clara Gerdt Brown, and her brother, Gordon H. Gerdt of Warsaw, Indiana. Marty is survived by several nieces and nephews and their children. She will also be sincerely missed by her special friends Jaimie Gagliano, Lenore Punkin Shepherd, and Deb Lidbury.

A memorial service for Marty will be held at 11:00 am on Friday December 13, 2024, at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. Visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will be held at Crown Point Cemetery in Indiana at a later date.

Marty was a community advocate and volunteer for many years, and requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Navarino Nature Center, Shawano Humane Society, and SAM 25.