GEERLANDA “GERLA” MARIJKE ARNDT passed away peacefully on October 11, 2009, with her husband and her sister by her side. She was born on August 28, 1948 in Arnhem, the Netherlands. Gerla was world traveler at a young age, having been an Au Pair in Germany, Switzerland and England.Being fluent in 4 1/2 languages and having a desire to see the world, she became a stewardess with KLM. During one of her trips to Portugal she met her future husband at the Sheraton hotel. After getting married in Roosendaal, the Netherlands on August 29, 1975, they set out to see the world together, living in the Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe and various islands; they finally settled in the United States.

They raised three children in Waukesha, WI, where Gerla became a devoted independent Mary Kay Consultant for 26 years. She was also active in church groups, Encore group, newcomers group, gourmet dinner groups and bridge parties.

After moving to Green Valley with her husband 3 1/2 years ago, she continued her quest to meet new people by joining the Hummingbirds group, bridge and mah jongg parties and pool aerobics. Gerla also learned new hobbies, such as Swedish weaving, which she continued until her last days. Some of her happiest years were spent in Green Valley with her greatest friends, who became family.

Gerla is preceded in death by her parents Jan Gerrits Veening and Gerda Bartha Buddingh. She is survived by her devoted husband Allen Arndt; daughter, Lieneke (Jason) Hafeman; son, Oscar Arndt; daughter Renee (Shaun) Neubauer; and grandsons, Evan Hafeman and Liam Neubauer.

Memorial will be held on Friday October 16th at 2 p.m. at the Las Campanas Rec Center, 835 W. Calle Artistica, Green Valley, AZ.