Kathleen Gaerttner

Kathleen F. Tupek Gaerttner, age 67, of Columbus, Ohio and formerly of Erie, Pa. died unexpectedly Friday, January 5th 2018 at Doctor's West Hospital in Columbus.  She was born in Erie, Pa. May 29th 1950 the daughter of Ann C. Tupek and the late Joseph W. Tupek Sr.

Kathy graduated from Strong Vincent High School.  She was employed by Firch Baking Co. for 20 years prior to moving to Columbus, Ohio where she worked for Command Alkon for the past 23 years, leading up to her retirement in November 2017.

Kathy loved watching sports particularly her Seattle Seahawks and Houston Astros. In addition, she also enjoyed traveling, trips to Graceland, the Columbus Zoo and waterpark but the most important thing to her was the time she shared with family and friends, especially the time spent with her 2 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Joseph W. Tupek Sr., brothers, Joseph W. Tupek Jr. , Mark R. Tupek Sr., sisters, Diane E. Tupek, JoAnn Clinger  and a nephew, Christopher M. Clinger.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her son, Robert A. Gaerttner of Columbus, Ohio; five siblings Mrs. Christine (Jerry) Martin of Erie, Mrs. Yvonne (Richard) Wilt of Swissvale, Pa., Mrs. Mary Ann (Sean) Osterberg of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Colleen Jennings of Erie, and Daniel L. (Beth)  Tupek of Fairview, Pa.; two grandchildren, Hailey M. and Gavin A. Gaerttner of Columbus, Ohio, two sisters-in-law Marilyn Tupek and Jackie Tupek, a brother-in-law James Clinger and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on the family at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th St. (at Powell Ave.) on Thursday January 11^th from 4pm until the time of the service at 7 p.m. Private burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. 

 Memorials may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.