Leo J. Gerken

GERKEN, TEGELER, DINGBAUM, TJADEN, MEZERA, SHORT, MEGEL, DREES, FANGMAN, FERICKS

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 1/31/2008 at 13:57:03

INDEPENDENCE - Leo J. Gerken, 79, of Independence, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, from complications of congestive heart failure.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, by the Rev. Aloysius J. Vorwald. Burial: St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, where there will be a 3 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. wake service today.

Leo was born Feb. 1, 1928, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Henry H. and Catherine F. (Tegeler) Gerken. He was a 1946 graduate of the Xavier High School in Dyersville. On Jan. 20, 1959, he was united in marriage to Juliana M. Dingbaum in Earlville, Iowa. The couple made their home in Independence, where Leo was the co-owner of Cy & Charley's Firestone until his retirement in 1991.
Leo was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in Independence, serving on several church committees. He was a member of the church choir, and served as a lector and cantor. He was also a member of the St. Pius the 10th Knights of Columbus in Independence.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; five children, Mitch (Sheila) Gerken and Morris Gerken, both of Independence, Lisa Tjaden, Omaha, Neb., Lonie (Bob) Mezera, Des Moines, and Linda (Mike) Short, Marion; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Catherine Megel of Papillion, Neb., and Mary Ann Drees of Dyersville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and Bernard Gerken; and two sisters, Lorraine Fangman and Vernita Fericks.