Nancy Gerken, 74, Cherished Holgate Resident, and Rose Schwab, 13, Injured Passenger, Involved in Devastating Head-On Collision with Ottawa Driver Lisa Kleman, 43, on State Route 65 in Putnam County, Ohio—A Heart-Wrenching Incident That Has Sparked Community Mourning and Renewed Focus on Rural Highway Safety

In the heartland of Ohio, nestled among the peaceful farmland and rural roads that define Putnam County, the quiet rhythm of a Sunday morning was shattered on June 8, 2025. At precisely 11:59 a.m., what should have been a calm midday moment instead gave rise to a life-altering collision that forever changed the lives of multiple families and sent shockwaves throughout the Ottawa community and surrounding areas.

At the center of this deeply tragic incident was Nancy Gerken, a 74-year-old woman from Holgate, known by neighbors and family alike for her gentle spirit, unwavering kindness, and enduring community involvement. A proud grandmother, devoted mother, and active participant in local volunteer work, Nancy represented the very best of small-town values. On that Sunday, she was traveling southbound on State Route 65, near Road M, just outside of Ottawa, Ohio, in her 2015 Chevrolet Traverse.

At the same moment, heading northbound along the same stretch of road, was Lisa Kleman, a 43-year-old Ottawa resident driving a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Accompanying Nancy Gerken in the passenger seat of her vehicle was Rose Schwab, a 13-year-old girl from Hamler, described by family friends as bright, curious, and full of life.

According to preliminary reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Kleman’s vehicle, for reasons still under active investigation, crossed the centerline of the two-lane highway and entered the path of oncoming traffic. In the blink of an eye, the two SUVs collided head-on with devastating force. The impact left both vehicles mangled beyond recognition and scattered debris across the rural roadway, turning the quiet surroundings into a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.

Emergency responders from multiple local departments, including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa Fire and EMS, and MedFlight air ambulances, arrived swiftly at the scene. Despite their best efforts, Nancy Gerken was pronounced deceased at the scene, a solemn determination made by medics who worked valiantly but were ultimately unable to revive her. Her remains were transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for further evaluation by Feldner Mortuary Service.

Rose Schwab, the young passenger traveling with Nancy, sustained injuries in the crash but—miraculously—survived the collision. She was quickly transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, where medical staff confirmed that her injuries, while painful, were not life-threatening. She is expected to recover with time, though her emotional healing will undoubtedly take far longer.

Lisa Kleman, the driver of the northbound Chevrolet Traverse, also sustained injuries as a result of the collision. She was taken to the same hospital and is currently receiving care. Authorities have noted that all three individuals involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts—a critical safety detail that likely prevented an even greater toll.

As the investigation into the crash continues, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are working to determine what caused Kleman’s vehicle to cross the centerline. Investigators are examining possible contributing factors, including driver distraction, fatigue, medical emergency, mechanical malfunction, or weather conditions. Toxicology screenings, vehicle inspections, and a reconstruction of the crash are all part of the comprehensive analysis now underway.

This tragedy has not only devastated those closest to the individuals involved, but it has also reignited urgent conversations about safety on Ohio’s rural highways. State Route 65 is a commonly traveled corridor through Putnam County, frequented by residents, agricultural vehicles, and commuters alike. Though largely considered safe and well-maintained, the road has seen a history of accidents—often due to momentary lapses in driver judgment or external conditions that quickly spiral out of control.

Community members have already begun calling for renewed investments in road safety infrastructure, such as centerline rumble strips, improved signage, and public awareness campaigns aimed at combating distracted and fatigued driving. Local advocacy groups are also emphasizing the need for driver re-education programs, especially as the region continues to experience both aging drivers and growing youth populations on the roads.

In the town of Holgate, where Nancy Gerken lived her entire life, the mood has turned somber. Friends and neighbors have described her as “the heart of her street,” always tending to her garden, baking for local charity events, or visiting with friends at the community center. A lifelong church member and a retired teacher’s aide, Nancy spent her life in service to others, and her absence will be felt in every corner of the community she helped build.

In Hamler, the recovery of 13-year-old Rose Schwab has become a point of collective hope. Schoolmates, family friends, and teachers are rallying around her with messages of support and encouragement. Counselors have been made available at her middle school to help students process the traumatic event, and a growing number of community members are organizing donations to assist the family with medical and emotional recovery costs.

The situation surrounding Lisa Kleman, who remains under medical supervision, is one of growing scrutiny. While law enforcement has not issued public statements regarding pending charges, they have confirmed that a full investigation is being conducted and that any decisions will be based on conclusive findings. As part of their process, investigators are relying on witness testimony, vehicle event data recorders (black boxes), and digital forensics to reconstruct the timeline leading up to the crash.

Putnam County officials have taken this opportunity to remind the public of the unpredictable nature of rural driving. Long, straight stretches of road can encourage high speeds or complacency, and with limited traffic signals in many areas, the margin for error is slim. They emphasize the importance of constant vigilance, even on roads drivers travel daily.

In the days following the crash, tributes to Nancy Gerken have begun to emerge. Handmade signs, flowers, and candles now sit at the crash site along Route 65, accompanied by handwritten notes from those who knew her. At her church in Holgate, congregants gathered the following morning to light candles in her honor and share stories of her compassion and generosity.

Her family, while still in the early stages of grief, has expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received from both strangers and lifelong friends. Funeral arrangements are currently underway, and the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Nancy’s memory to local road safety initiatives or children’s educational charities—causes she supported during her lifetime.

As for Rose Schwab, the days ahead will likely include both physical healing and trauma support. Her family has shared that she is a strong and determined young woman, one who brings joy to every room she enters. They are confident that with love, support, and care, she will continue to thrive despite the challenges she now faces.

The Putnam County community, though shaken, is rallying in unity. Tragedy of this magnitude brings with it a stark reminder of life’s fragility—but also of the strength and resilience that emerges when people come together in compassion and care.

As the investigation continues, the lives affected by this collision remain central to the story. Nancy Gerken’s legacy will be remembered not only by the headlines that follow but by the people she touched, the life she led, and the community that will never forget her. Her name, along with that of young Rose Schwab, will stand as symbols of both sorrow and survival—a call to action for safer roads and more mindful driving, so that such heartbreak need not be repeated.

Tags: Nancy Gerken, Rose Schwab, Lisa Kleman, Putnam County Ohio crash, Ottawa Ohio accident, State Route 65 collision, Holgate Ohio resident, road safety awareness, rural highway incident, June 2025 car accident, community grieving, teen injury in crash, traffic investigation Ohio, Ohio State Highway Patrol