Gearke, Gary Glenn 1944-2014

GEARKE, ROHLFSEN, HEEREN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/11/2014 at 10:06:27

Sioux City Journal
November 02, 2014

LE MARS, Iowa | Gary G. Gearke, 70, of Le Mars passed away on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at his home following a courageous two-year battle with cancer.

Celebration of life services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Rejoice Community Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Tony De La Rosa will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery at Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Mauer–Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Gary Glenn Gearke was born on April 3, 1944, in Le Mars, to Glenn Nathan and Ruth Lillian (Rohlfsen) Gearke. He attended school in Le Mars, graduating from Le Mars High School in 1962.

On June 12, 1963, Gary and Marlene Heeren were united in marriage at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Le Mars. They made their home in Kansas City, where Gary attended air conditioning and heating school. After trade school, he and Marlene returned to Le Mars. Gary took a position at Coast to Coast Hardware. He worked there for a few years and then began his 33-year career with Supersweet Feeds. Toward the later years of his career, he began farming.

During his retirement years, Gary worked part time as a jailer for the Plymouth County sheriff and was a reserve deputy. He and Marlene were also custodians at American Bank in Le Mars. He enjoyed woodworking and making unique pens and pencils. Gary was very supportive of his family and was an active part of their lives. Others knew him as a handyman, as he was always willing to assist others with their projects.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife of 52 years, Marlene; a son, James Gearke; a daughter and her husband, Tonya and Jason Jauron; grandchildren, Gabriella Gearke and her special friend, Keaton Alons, Gina Gearke, Ethan and Jackson Jauron, all of Le Mars; a brother and his wife, Robert and Vycci Gearke of Raytown, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Jean Heeren and Mildred Gearke, both of Le Mars; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Timothy; brother, Rodney; and a brother-in-law, Dave Heeren.