1920
Bernard
2012
Bernard Hein Gerken
January 14, 1920 — March 16, 2012
Bernard Hein Gerken, age 92, passed away on March 16, 2012 at Lake City Medical Center in Lake City, MN. He died of declining health due to pulmonary fibrosis. Bernard was born on January 14, 1920 in Gilford Township of Lake City to Emil and Anna (Oelkers) Gerken. He was born and lived in the same house nearly all of his life. He was engaged in farming all of his life in the Lake City area. On September 5, 1941 he married Verna Katherine Grote. He was a member of Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church.
He was also involved with endless committees and community projects. Some involved decades on the church council, township assessor, opening graves at the church cemetery, measuring fields for the United States Dept. of Agriculture, installing fire and ID numbers, member of Farm Bureau, member of the school board of the one room country school at Lincoln in District 18, which was attended by all four of his sons a long time ago, and helped organize and was an adult leader of the Gilford Golden Gophers 4-H Club in the late 50's and early 60's. He thoroughly enjoyed spending a day on "Machinery Hill" at the MN State Fair. He started farming with horses, but soon converted to many gas tractors. But that 730 Case tractor was his favorite of the fleet. In the late 40's he purchased a New Idea Corn Shredder, which became the centerpiece of the now popular "Annual Corn Shredding Autumn Harvest Days" that he eldest son, Dwain started in 1999.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Verna; four sons, Dwain (Marilyn) of Lake City, Robert (Lesley) of Lake City, Bruce of Lake City, Curtis (Judith) of Neenah, WI; grandchildren Thomas, Lisa, Deanna, Dwain Jr., David, Mark, Daniel, Elizabeth; great grandchildren, Melissa, Heather, Amanda, Kristin, Jordyn, Kayla, Thomas, Wesley Heavenly, Kyle, Eliza, and Ellie; two great-great grandchildren, Tristin and Jovy; brothers-in-law, Charles (Mary) Grote and Virgil (Joanne) Kunde; sister-in-law, Helen Grote; step-sisters, Virginia Gade of Washington and Phyllis Meyer of Apple Valley, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Emil and Anna Gerken; step-mother, Florence Gerken; sister, Eunice Mickow; and brother-in-law, Virgil Grote, and an infant brother.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Tim Learman officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, March 19, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City and one hour prior at the church on Tuesday. Burial will follow the funeral service at Lincoln Trinity Church Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
1022 West Lyon Ave P.O. Box 90
Lake City, MN 55041
County Road 17
Lake City, MN
County Road 17
Lake City, MN
He was also involved with endless committees and community projects. Some involved decades on the church council, township assessor, opening graves at the church cemetery, measuring fields for the United States Dept. of Agriculture, installing fire and ID numbers, member of Farm Bureau, member of the school board of the one room country school at Lincoln in District 18, which was attended by all four of his sons a long time ago, and helped organize and was an adult leader of the Gilford Golden Gophers 4-H Club in the late 50's and early 60's. He thoroughly enjoyed spending a day on "Machinery Hill" at the MN State Fair. He started farming with horses, but soon converted to many gas tractors. But that 730 Case tractor was his favorite of the fleet. In the late 40's he purchased a New Idea Corn Shredder, which became the centerpiece of the now popular "Annual Corn Shredding Autumn Harvest Days" that he eldest son, Dwain started in 1999.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Verna; four sons, Dwain (Marilyn) of Lake City, Robert (Lesley) of Lake City, Bruce of Lake City, Curtis (Judith) of Neenah, WI; grandchildren Thomas, Lisa, Deanna, Dwain Jr., David, Mark, Daniel, Elizabeth; great grandchildren, Melissa, Heather, Amanda, Kristin, Jordyn, Kayla, Thomas, Wesley Heavenly, Kyle, Eliza, and Ellie; two great-great grandchildren, Tristin and Jovy; brothers-in-law, Charles (Mary) Grote and Virgil (Joanne) Kunde; sister-in-law, Helen Grote; step-sisters, Virginia Gade of Washington and Phyllis Meyer of Apple Valley, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Emil and Anna Gerken; step-mother, Florence Gerken; sister, Eunice Mickow; and brother-in-law, Virgil Grote, and an infant brother.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Tim Learman officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, March 19, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City and one hour prior at the church on Tuesday. Burial will follow the funeral service at Lincoln Trinity Church Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
MAR 19. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel1022 West Lyon Ave P.O. Box 90
Lake City, MN 55041
Visitation
MAR 20. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Lincoln Trinity Lutheran ChurchCounty Road 17
Lake City, MN
Service
MAR 20. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Lincoln Trinity Lutheran ChurchCounty Road 17
Lake City, MN
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