Sandra (Pfeiffer) Gaerte

Sandra Kay (Pfeiffer) Gaerte, age 79, formerly of Tri Lakes, near Columbia City and most recently from Fort Wayne, passed away May 4, 2026, at Laurels of Dekalb in Butler. Sandy was born in Columbia City, Indiana, on June 12, 1946, to the late Walton Howard Pfeiffer and Anita Faye (Leonard) Pfeiffer. She grew up on Shriner Lake, which is part of the Tri Lakes chain of lakes, north of Columbia City.  She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1964 and was employed in clerical and administrative work. She married Richard Ralph Gaerte on December 6, 1969, in Columbia City.

Survivors include:
Her husband of 56 years, Richard Gaerte of Fort Wayne.
Son, Jeffrey Gaerte of Columbia City.
Son, Duane and Amy Gaerte of Angola.
Son, Travis and Hollie Gaerte of Cummings, Georgia.
Five grandchildren and one great grandson.
Sister, Shirley Gaff of Fort Wayne.
Brother, Dennis and Linda Pfeiffer of Columbia City.
Sister, Sherry Doherty of Syracuse, Indiana.

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Sandy's life on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 11:30am-1:30pm at The Kyro, 210 Home Avenue, Churubusco, Indiana, followed by a memorial service at 1:30pm led by Pastor George Cecil. Sandy's remains will be laid to rest at Marion National Cemetery at a later date.