Gladys I. Gerken, 85

Gladys I. Gerken, 85, of Lake City, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, at BeeHive Assisted Living in Missoula, Mont.

She was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, to Roland and Eva Hiles. She lived on their prairie farm with her older brother, Roy; her older sister, Dorothy; and a younger sister, Helen. She attended school in Mortlach and received a RN degree. In 1950, she moved to Red Wing, Minn., to work at St. John's Hospital where her oldest sister, Dorothy, also worked as an RN.

On Aug. 21, 1954, she married Lester Gerken in Belvidere. They made their home and farmed in Belvidere Township. She quit her job as a registered nurse and became a full-time farmer's wife and mother of three. She didn't learn to drive the car till the children started school. By then, she was driving the tractor, pick- up, and car. She loved to garden, especially flowers. She had quite a colorful display for everyone to see as they drove past the family farm. One display was a large cross made out of red and white petunias. She was also famous for her homemade apple pies. The family attended church at St. Peter's Belvidere Lutheran Church. Gladys was very active in the Ladies Aid and the church choir. They farmed in Belvidere Township until 1991 when they retired and moved to Lake City. Lester died June 18, 2004. She enjoyed playing card games, word puzzles, dominoes, and she always loved listening to music. In 2010, she moved to Bee Hive Assisted Living in Missoula so her oldest daughter, Judy, could keep a closer eye on her due to her progressive dementia.

She is survived by two daughters, Judy (Larry) Larson of Missoula, Rosanne (Brian) Lexvold of Red Wing; one son, James of Mazeppa; seven grandchildren, Cory Gerken, Jamie Richardson, Joanie Malecka, Chad Gerken, Tony Lexvold, Josh Lexvold, Reed Lexvold; six great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Roy (Jean) Hiles of Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada; a sister, Helen Ellis of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; and a sister, Dorothy.

Gladys was a very devoted mother and grandmother. She loved her family very much. One of her quotes to her family was "Remember, I Love You Very Much, and Don't Forget!"

A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Peter's Belvidere Lutheran Church.

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City. Online condolences can be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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