Lena Mary Gerdts (Coonts)

Lena Mary Gerdts, 73 of Independence, MO, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at her residence. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. The family will greet friends prior to the services from 10:00 a.m., until service time Thursday at the chapel. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made to Wayside Waifs. Lena was born September 10, 1941 in Ava, MO to Willard and Frances (Shelton) Coonts. She was a longtime bartender for Johnny’s Bigger Jigger before she retired. Prior to that she had worked as a beautician. She enjoyed bowling, pool, bingo, cooking, wrestling, NASCAR, going to family functions, watching her grandson’s auto racing and most of all spending time with family at the lake. She was married to Bob Massey on May 10, 1958. She and Bob had 2 daughters together and later divorced. She then married Leroy Gerdts who preceded her in death in 1993. Survivors include: her longtime companion and faithful caregiver, Jed Cope of the home; 2 daughters, Bobbie Shaw and husband Rick of Lathrop, MO and Deb Whitehead and husband Doug of Cleveland, TX; 3 sisters, Pat Dobbs of Ava, MO, Judy Shepard and Sue Jones of Kansas City, MO; 3 grandchildren, Jamey Bate, Darren Shaw and Alyssa Shaw; 2 great grandchildren, Jaxon Shaw and Connor Bate and her faithful puppy Ranger. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, W.D. Coonts and an infant sister, Sheila Coonts. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)