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Lorraine V. Gerke

May 30, 1922 - May 9, 2011
Schoolcraft, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, May 12, 2011
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, May 12, 2011
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Vicksburg Location
409 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Lorraine's Granddaughters Education - checks payable to David Gerke
C/O Life Story Funeral Homes, 409 S. Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-1697

Trinity Episcopal Church
321 N. Main Street
Three Rivers, MI 49093
(269) 273-3795
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Rosewood Flowers & Gifts
118 South Main St.
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(877) 649-1685
Map
Web Site

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Lorraine Gerke lived a full life creating a beautiful tapestry of memories along the way. Usually reserved and private by nature, Lorraine loved traveling with the love of her life and never took for granted the beautiful harmonies that are part of God’s creation. She devoted her life to raising her children and in so doing, leaves a lasting footprint in the sands of time. Lorraine will be deeply missed by the family and friends she leaves behind.

As the 1920s dawned, advancements in technology fueled by innovation that seemed limitless took America places while the world watched. Since we emerged from WWI as a world leader, we set the pace for what was to come. This decade took us out to the ballgame with the greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, soaring in the clouds with Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and under the bright lights of Broadway during its peak. It was within this vibrant decade that there was much to celebrate for one young family from Minnesota who was thrilled to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home. Lorraine was ushered into the loving arms of her parents, Harry and Alice (Hathaway) Pierce, on May 30, 1922, and was one of three girls in her family. Her parents worked as dairy farmers and when Lorraine was still a young girl, the Pierce family moved to Iowa.

When the prosperity of the twenties gave way to the thirties, there was much hardship for countless American families to endure at the hands of the Great Depression. People lost their jobs, their homes, and in some cases their hopes and dreams for the future as well. It wasn’t until our nation focused on the fight for freedom overseas in WWII that life provided people with some reprieve. We engaged in the throes of the war on December 8, 1941, and like so many other young people of this generation, Lorraine rose to answer the call of her nation. She served in the United States Army Signal Corp for three-and-a-half years. As a civilian she also worked in the healthcare industry for a time.

Life took a new and exciting turn when Lorraine met and fell in love with the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Kenneth Gerke and after dating for a time, they became husband and wife in Saginaw in 1945. Together they were blessed with three children: Richard, Nedra, and David. From the time they were born Lorraine devoted her time to raising the children she viewed as her greatest gift. In 1949 they built a cabin up north that became the backdrop for fun-filled family times for years to come. Lorraine loved going up to the cabin where she enjoyed hearing the beautiful music that God provides through nature.

Although much of her time was centered on raising her children, Lorraine also found fulfillment in other ways. She and her husband enjoyed fishing and traveling together including an unforgettable trip to Hawaii. Those who knew Lorraine were usually aware of her love for card playing, which was something she enjoyed throughout her entire lifetime. She also kept busy reading, sewing, and listening to music including classical, easy listening, and especially big band music.

Later in life Lorraine was delighted to become a grandmother to two granddaughters, Sarah and Jessica. Family always played an important role in Lorraine’s life, and she was deeply saddened with the death of her husband and son, Richard, later in life.

It is true that Lorraine Gerke could be a bit stubborn and even bull-headed at times, but she will be remembered for her devition to her family above all else. She was an idealist who always remained abreast of what was going on in the political heartbeat of our nation. Life was not without times of trial for Lorraine, but she took everything in stride while holding on to the faith that was a cornerstone in her life. She will be warmly remembered by those she leaves behind.

Lorraine V. Gerke died on May 9, 2011. Lorraine’s family includes her son, David (Brenda) Gerke of Battle Creek; daughter, Nedra (Phil) Collins, of Kalamazoo; daughter-in-law: Mary Lou Gerke, of NC; two granddaughters, Sarah and Jessica of Battle Creek. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth in 1991; one son, Richard in 2010, her parents and two sisters. Visit with Lorraine’s family and friends on Thursday, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697). Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the same location. Burial will take place on Friday at the Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. Please visit Lorraine’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home. Those who wish may make donations to the Trinity Episcopal Church in Three Rivers and/or to the education of her granddaughters.

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