Leonard O. Gerke

Leonard O. Gerke, 85, of Tipton, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013, at his home. He was born September 16, 1928, in Clifton City, to Henry and Elizabeth (Franken) Gerke. On August 28, 1951, at Martinsville, he married Mary Irene Lang, who survives of the home. He was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He was manager of Gerbes Supermarket for 42 years, retiring in 1990. He was active in the community, church and family life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, and spending time with his family and friends at the Lake of the Ozarks. Survivors include his wife of the home; his children, Jim (Belva) Gerke of Gravois Mills, Mary (Richard) Baker of Lenexa, Kan., Tom (Rhonda) Gerke of Leawood, Kan., Roy (Beth)Gerke of Scarsdale, N.Y., Kent (Sherryl) Gerke of Lee's Summit, Jeanna (Ernie) Pameticky of California, Jane (Dean) Bishop of Bunceton, Janet (Rodney) Henley of California; 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Catherine Wendland of Shawnee, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ed, Henry, Raymond, and Vincent; and four sisters, Marie Schwartz, Bernadine Tabbee, Florence Taylor, and Virginia Gerhardt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to St. Andrew School Foundation or St. Andrew's Church.