Ida Louise Schaefer Gerstner Yackow, 78, a former nurse who was a volunteer with the American Heart Association and with the Arlington Ladies, who assist at funerals at Arlington Cemetery, died of colon cancer July 30, 1998 at her home in Alexandria, Virginia.

She was a native of Bonnot's Mill, Missouri, and a graduate of the DePaul Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis. 

She served in the Army in Europe during World War II and received a Bronze Star.

After her marriage to John F. Gerstner, she accompanied him to Army assignments that included Japan and Germany. 

They moved to the Washington area in 1960. Colonel Gerstner died in 1976.

She was a member of Lincolnia Hills Civic Association, Signal Officers Wives Club and the Altar Guild at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Alexandria.

Survivors include her husband of 15 years, Joseph Yackow of Alexandria; seven children from her first marriage, JoAnn Nettleingham of Westminster, Colo., Janet Morvai of Mansfield, Ohio, James Michael Gerstner of Biddeford, Maine, Patricia L. Guida of Arnold, Mary K. Dietrich of Fort Collins, Colo., Karen Gerstner-Dobbs of Arlington and Carol A. Gerstner of Falls Church; a stepson, Joseph M. Yackow of Nashville; two brothers; and 11 grandchildren.

On Thursday, July 30, 1998, at her residence, IDA GERSTNER YACKOW, of Falls Church, VA, beloved wife of Joseph R. Yackow; preceded in death by her first husband, John F. Gerstner; dear mother of Jo Ann Nettleingham, Janet M. Morvai, James Michael Gerstner, Patricia L. Guida, Mary K. Dietrich, Karen L. Gerstner Dobbs, Carol Ann Gerstner and a step-son, Joseph M. Yackow; two brothers, Dennis and Edgar Schaefer; and nine granchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 4329 Sano St., Alexandria, VA, Tuesday, August 11 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 7203 Poplar St. Annandale, VA 22003.