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Erika Gautschi

October 31, 1935 - March 24, 2023

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Service
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Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Wednesday 4/5, 2:00 pm
The family will receive friends following the service.

Erika Gautschi, 87, of Lafayette, Indiana, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023. She was born on October 31, 1935, in Basel, Switzerland. After graduating from the Frauengymnasium with a teaching diploma in 1954, Erika taught for one year at a primary school. She married Werner Gautschi in 1956 and they emigrated to the United States, where Werner assumed academic positions at various universities. After Werner’s premature death in 1959, while Erika was expecting their first child, she returned to her hometown of Basel. While there, she married Walter Gautschi, twin brother to Werner. In 1960, Erika and Werner’s son, Thomas, was born. Walter and Erika moved back to the United States with Thomas in 1961, where Walter eventually, in 1963, assumed a professorship at Purdue University as an inaugural member of the Computer Science Department. Erika and Walter have lived in Lafayette ever since, interrupted only by sabbatical years in Munich, Germany and Madison, Wisconsin. Erika and Walter had three daughters, Theresa (Ainsworth) in 1961, Doris (Fulwider) in 1965, and Cari (Carpenter) in 1969. Erika is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Theresa.

Erika assumed an academic appointment as a lecturer in the Department of Foreign Languages at Purdue University teaching German and was also active as a tutor and German-to-English translator of several books. Erika’s passion for foreign languages extended to music, having been an accomplished pianist. She also was passionate about gardening, which she loved to share with others. Erika and Walter enjoyed traveling back to Switzerland, where they maintained an apartment and spent several months at a time in their beloved home country. While in Switzerland, they enjoyed hiking in the mountains and remaining in close contact with school friends. Erika will be greatly missed by her husband, her three remaining children, ten grandchildren, and countless friends, all of whom she deeply cherished and inspired.

Memorial service will be 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd.  The family will receive friends following the service.

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Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.
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Mike & Mirjam Sigg-Portmann
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Cathy Elmore
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Jo & Oz
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Victoria Carlucci
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Erika Stahl
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Angie Scher Light a candle
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Service
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lafayette Chapel
400 Twyckenham Blvd
Lafayette, IN 47909
Map
Wednesday 4/5, 2:00 pm
The family will receive friends following the service.

Erika Gautschi, 87, of Lafayette, Indiana, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023. She was born on October 31, 1935, in Basel, Switzerland. After graduating from the Frauengymnasium with a teaching diploma in 1954, Erika taught for one year at a primary school. She married Werner Gautschi in 1956 and they emigrated to the UnitedContinue Reading

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Valeria & Bruno Ochs left a message on April 15, 2023:
Lieber Walter, wir haben mit grosser Trauer den Heimgang deiner geliebten Erika vernommen. Wir sind sehr dankbar, dass wir Erika und Dich in der Bachletten in Basel kennen und schätzen lernen durften. Wir werden Erika und Dich stehst in bester Erinnerung behalten. Wir wünschen Dir und deiner Familie viel Kraft und happy returns. Liebe Grüsse aus Thailand, unserem neuen Zuhause. Valeria & Bruno Ochs
Sotiris Notaris left a message on April 13, 2023:
Dear Walter, I know that it is hard to feel your loss. I would always remember Erika as a kind and caring person for her family and the people around her. My deepest condolences. Sotiris Notaris
Mike & Mirjam Sigg-Portmann left a message on April 11, 2023:
Lieber Walter, liebe Trauerfamilie Wir kondolieren und wünschen euch von Herzen viel Kraft für die kommenden Tage. Wir werden Erika und die Besuche von ihr und Walter in der Schweiz sehr vermissen. Es ist unglaublich, wir hatten noch gehofft Erika diesen Frühling in Basel zu treffen. Wir werden Erika in bester Erinnerung in unseren Herzen behalte. Mike,l Mirjam & Familie
Aditya Mathur left a message on April 8, 2023:
Jyoti and I send our deepest condolences. We have known Walter and Erika for several decades. Wonderful people. Erika will be missed. Jyoti and Aditya
Nicoletta Arti left a message on April 7, 2023:
Walti, my deepest condolences to you, to your family and friends. Thank you for sharing this touching service. I have always held Erika in high esteem and enjoyed the conversations during our dinners in Basel. I also admired Erika's wide interest and her activity. I still can't imagine her not coming back to Basel. As Walti said, we will always carry her in our hearts. Sincerely, Nicoletta
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Feli & Anne Donker-Gautschi left a message on April 5, 2023:
Dear Walter, our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Erika. We hope that loving memories will bring you comfort in these difficult times. We send you and your family our deepest sympathy. Feli & Anne & family (Brussels)
Patrick Benner left a message on April 5, 2023:
Tom, my condolences to you and the family. You and I have not seen each other since junior high school, but your friendship meant a lot to me. Unfortunately I cannot make the service so I just want you to know that my family is sharing in your loss.
Cathy Elmore left a message on April 4, 2023:
Erika, you will be so dearly missed, I have enjoyed your friendship for several year's as a customer of Panera. I will surely miss your hugs.
Herb Rowland left a message on April 2, 2023:
So sorry to hear of Erika's passing. One of my earliest memories on arriving in the Lafayette area in the early 80s is hearing her moderate classical music on WBAA. She was a fine colleague for many years and a multi-talented and kind person.
Jo & Oz left a message on March 31, 2023:
Tom and Barb, Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family during this tough time. Love, JoEllen and Oz
Victoria Carlucci left a message on March 31, 2023:
Tom,I’m so sorry for your loss and sorrow.We love you ❤️
PaulA Guthrie left a message on March 30, 2023:
Doris-my deepest and most sincere condolences to you and your family at the loss of Erika. May the love and prayers of those who love you get you through this most difficult time.
Erika Stahl left a message on March 30, 2023:
May you feel her love and presence always. My condolences.
Angie Scher left a message on March 30, 2023:
In memory of Erika Gautschi, Angie Scher lit a candle
Angie Scher left a message on March 30, 2023:
My dear, Doris, Deuce, Walter, Erika’s much loved children and grandchildren, my sincerest condolences and prayers for each and everyone one of you! She was a guiding light and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Much love ♥️
Alex Pothen left a message on March 29, 2023:
Dear Walter, children and grandchildren, Condolences on your irreparable loss. It was a privilege to interact with Erika when she came in to Walter's office in the Lawson building, for the past several years. Many of our colleagues who came to celebrate Walter's 90th birthday at the conference organized then also had the joy of meeting Erika. May the sweet memories of her life comfort you in this time of grief.
Steve and Bev Fulwider left a message on March 29, 2023:
Our deepest sympathy to Walter, our daughter in law Doris, Tom and Carrie and family. Erika was an amazing mother to her family and a friend to all. She will be missed very much by everyone especially her family.. Sincerely Steve and Bev Fulwider
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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