Joni Ann Gerdes

Joni Ann Gerdes, 40, of Overland Park, Kansas died peacefully Thursday, March 17, 2022.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday March 25th at the Heartland Church of Christ (business casual), 6120 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64151.

Joni was born on August 9, 1981 to Carla (Rasmussen) Miller in Omaha, Nebraska. She spent much of her childhood in North Platte, NE where she forged many life-long friendships.  After graduating from North Platte High School she married her high school sweetheart on July 12, 2003 and later relocated to the Kansas City area.

Following her graduation from the University of Nebraska at Omaha Joni followed in her Great-Grandmother’s passion by dedicating her career to the education of her beloved first grade students at Fox Hill Elementary.  Outside the classroom Joni was a fierce competitor, which lead to her love of triathlons.  She completed the Kansas Iron Man twice and participated in the Red Man Triathlon series in Oklahoma City.  When no longer able to complete Joni made it her life’s mission to raise awareness and support for Huntington’s Disease education and research through her involvement with the local HDSA chapter.  She was dedicated to doing everything in her power to ensure her generation was the last to be affected by HD.

Nothing, however, was more important to her than her daughters.  She was a passionate mother, and was focused on doing everything in her power to provide them with the best life possible.

Through it all Joni approached life with a positive outlook.  Many will remember her infectious smile and her upbeat attitude in spite of the challenges she faced later in life.  She could always turn any situation into an opportunity to laugh with those she loved.

She is preceded in death by her great grandmother, Laura Vonderfecht; and her grandmother, Doris Roberts.

Survivors include her husband, Rob Gerdes; daughters, Grace and Abigail Gerdes; mother, Carla (Nick) Miller; siblings, Noel (Nicolas) Paventi, Jenna Kramer, Josh Kramer, PJ Mangiamelli; maternal grandparents, Ray and Dorine Rasmussen; mother and father-in-law, Mary and Ken Gerdes; sister-in-law, Natalie (Raun) Mason and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, Joni has asked that memorial contributions may be made to HDSA via this link or to Heartland Church of Christ via this link .