Georgine Naggatz

Georgine Marie Naggatz (Gigi), 57, wife of Cdr. Jeffrey Naggatz passed away Tuesday January 5th peacefully in her home. Gigi was born in Aberdeen SD, daughter of James D. Bertsch and Margaret L. Bertsch (Saunders). After meeting Jeff Naggatz of Fairmount ND they were married, locally stationed, and started their family in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She quickly grew a love for the history of the gulf coast and enrolled in University of West Florida's first field school in underwater archaeology – Deadman's Island shipwreck. She subsequently volunteered with the Florida Bureau of Archeological Research on the Emmanuel Point shipwreck site (DeLuna) and was enthralled with the work of preserving some of America’s oldest artifacts. The South Dakota girl traded her love of horses for dolphins and sea turtles. She volunteered for the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service, where saving and preserving wildlife became her mission. After twenty years of Volunteering for the National Park Service she earned the nickname “The Turtle Lady” and spent the remainder of her life leading the Sea Turtle Patrol program on Navarre Beach. Gigi was a lover of irreverent humor, Dr. Pepper, the Badlands of SD, and Pontooning with her family and friends. Gigi lives on through husband Cdr. Jeffrey D. Naggatz, and their three daughters: Dr. Kaitlin Ross, married to Jared Ross, and their son Declan; Brittany Ramage, married to Shawn Ramage, and their daughter Andi; and Kelsea Naggatz; Her father James Bertsch and siblings Michael (Cindy) Bertsch, Mary (Tim) Massey, Pat (Chrissie) Bertsch, Jamie Bertsch, Melissa Smith; as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Those waiting to greet her: mother, Margaret Saunders Bertsch and father- in- law, Don R. Naggatz. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Gigi’s memory. A celebration of her life will be held 4:00 PM, Sunday, January 10, 2016 at The Naval Live Oaks-South side of Hwy 98. Please come with pictures and stories to share.

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