Gerda Maria Faulkner

Mrs. Gerda Maria Faulkner age 92, of East Ridge, TN, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2021.

Mrs. Faulkner was born in Cosel, Germany on August 21, 1929, the daughter of the late Josef Moschko and Helene Moschko. She retired from First Federal after many years of service. Mrs. Faulkner enjoyed her last two years at Southern Heritage Assisted Living. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Faulkner was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Faulkner; daughter-in-law, Jerilyn Faulkner; a sister, Ruth Halmpolldinger; and two brothers, Bernhard Moschko and Heinz Moschko.

Survivors include her two sons, Don Faulkner and Charles Faulkner (Amy); three grandchildren, Elijah, Cayden, and Joshua Faulkner; and a brother, Manfred Moschko.

Mrs. Faulkner lived an extraordinary life filled with equally happy and hard times. Separated from her family at the age of 13 due to the incoming Soviet Union army, she and her younger siblings fled by train at the instruction of her father, who was employed at the train station in Cosel.

Arriving in West Germany, her younger siblings were placed with families that would take care of them until they were of working age. Due to the new working age being 12, Gerda was sent to work as a nurse in a hospital. She befriended another young girl and after 3 years of working together, they both left the hospital to work in a nearby US Army mess hall as waitresses.

This is where Gerda would meet her future husband, Raymond, who was a cook in the same mess hall. They would fall in love and eventually make their way to America in 1954, Raymond on an Air Force plane, Gerda on a boat to Canada. Raymond would meet her in Canada and bring her to Michigan, where they would live for a short time before making their way back to East Ridge, where they would raise their two boys and three grandchildren.

A Celebration of Gerda’s unique and amazing life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to Scenicview Community Development Corporation, dba The Pine at Hickory Valley, 2217 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Visit the online obituary www.lane-southcrestchapel.com to post tributes and share memories.

The Lane Funeral Home South Crest Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory has charge of the arrangements for Gerda Maria Faulkner.