Ida Gerke

Ida Gerke, 95, lifelong State Center area resident, died early Tuesday morning, July 1st, at the State Center Nursing and Rehab Center where she has resided the past seven years. Her death came peacefully with family at her side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 5th, at the St. John Lutheran Church north of State Center with Pastor Mike Maddick officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Hillside Cemetery at State Center. Friends may call at the church one-hour prior to the services. Memorials may be directed to the church or the Clemons Lutheran School. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home West Marshall Chapel is caring for Ida and her family. Ph 641-483-2900. Born Ida Henze on October 24th, 1912, at State Center, Iowa, she was the daughter and one of ten children born to Albert and Mary (Eckhart) Henze. She received her education in the area of her birth. On May 26th, 1936, she was united in marriage to Alvin Gerke. They farmed near State Center on the Gerke family homestead until moving into town in 1975. Ida was a faithful member of the St. John Lutheran Church, the church ladies aid, State Center Senior Citizens, longtime Sunday School teacher at the church and volunteered at the State Center Manor many times using her own handwritten sermons for bible studies and devotions. Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Mary (John) Kretz of Dubuque, Raymond (Karen) Gerke of State Center and Harlan (Karen) Gerke of Rochester, MN, 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, one sister Mildred (Mrs. Glen) Norell of Aurora, Colorado, her sisters-in-law- Frieda Gerke and Katherine Henze of Marshalltown and brother-in-law Lloyd Eggers of Marshalltown as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In death she has rejoined her beloved Alvin, son David, her parents, three brothers and five sisters.