Gerke, Donald Louis (1931-2015)

GERKE, HOBERMAN, JOHNSON, SCHMIDT, STIEGHORST, SPEARS, MILES, LAMB

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/11/2015 at 13:16:42

Donald Louis Gerke
October 19, 1931 - October 1, 2015

Donald L. Gerke, age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Hawkeye Care Center in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

Donald Louis Gerke, son of Henry F. and Amanda (Hoberman) Gerke, was born on October 19, 1931, at the family home in Grant Township, Buena Vista County, Iowa. He received Holy Baptism at the family home on November 8, 1931.

Donald attended Zion Lutheran School for a number of years. After receiving instruction from the pastor, he was confirmed in a private ceremony witnessed by family members and officers of the congregation on July 27, 1978. He was a lifelong member of this congregation.

Donald worked on the family farm and held various jobs at the Red Barn, now known as the Genesis Development Center. He enjoyed music and caring for his livestock on the farm.

He became a resident of the Buena Vista County Care Center, Spectra, in May of 1985, and then later moved to the Sioux Care Center in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Amanda Gerke; his brothers: Ewald, Wilbert, Raymond, and Clarence; his sisters: Elda Johnson and Arlene Schmidt; his brothers-in-law, Raymond Stieghorst, William Spears, Alfred Miles, Robert Lamb, and Herbert Johnson; and his sister-in-law, Alice Gerke Miles.

Donald is survived by one sister, Esther Lamb, of Storm Lake, Iowa; and a brother-in-law, Clifford (Doris) Schmidt, of Storm Lake; as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

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