Kathryn Gerke

Just Cremation

If asked, she’d probably say her life had not been remarkable in any way. Those who knew her well would probably disagree. Count us among the number who would say she was remarkable in every way.  Kathryn “Katie” Gerke of Missoula slipped peacefully from this world just before noon on February 1, 2017, just 106 days short of her 100th birthday.  Katie was born May 18, 1917 in an actual “Little House on the Prairie”, several miles into the eastern Montana countryside near the now ghost town of Valanda. The fifth child born to Heinrich and Katerina Rudolph, she joined two older brothers and two older sisters in a family that ultimately would include another brother and four more sisters!  Starting an ever westward move, Katie graduated from Bridger High School in 1939 and, in the same year, married Don Gerke in Laurel, which would remain her home for over half a century until moving to Missoula. While in Laurel, Don and Katie welcomed sons Rudy in 1942 and Curtis in 1949.  Katie was predeceased by husband Don in 1974 and son Rudy in 1995, as well as sisters Lydia, Mary, Gertrude and Martha and brothers Jake, August and Fred.  Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Connie Gerke of Missoula, grandsons Donald Gerke of St. Louis, Missouri and Brian Gerke of Salt Lake City, Utah. Granddaughters Shawna Gerke of Billings and Katie Gerke of Laurel, Great-grandson Edward Gerke of Laurel and sisters Bertha Vick of Hamilton and Emma Hoffman of Seattle, Washington.  Katie was eagerly looking forward to her 100th birthday, so to celebrate and remember a life well lived, family and friends are invited for a cup of coffee and a piece of birthday cake from 1-3 p. m. on May 18 in the Community Room of the apartment complex where Katie resided for the majority of her later years, River Ridge Apartments, 2841 Sante Fe Court in Missoula.  Please come in comfortable, casual spring attire and, in lieu of flowers, we suggest an act of kindness to someone in need. Katie would like that.

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Kathryn Gerke Obituary | Just Cremation