Alice Mary (Wolf) Gerke

Alice Mary Gerke, 95, of Pilot Grove, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Katy Manor in Pilot Grove.

She was born December 23, 1927, in Tipton, the youngest of six children of Walter and Mary E. (Bestgen) Wolf.

On January 25, 1949, in Tipton, she was married to Herbert Henry Gerke, who preceded her in death on November 3, 2016.

Alice devoted her life to being a wife and mother. She enjoyed quilting, painting, crocheting and baking. She was known for her blackberry cobbler and dill pickles. She was a 4-H leader and taught many in the area how to crochet.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Alice will be remembered as a patient, kind, and happy person, and for her positive outlook.

Surviving are sons: Eugene Gerke and his wife Patricia of Columbia, Missouri; Frank Gerke and his wife Paula of Chillicothe, Illinois; Jerome Gerke and his wife Leigh Fleck of Franklin, Missouri; Dan Gerke and his wife Karen of Pilot Grove; Vernon Gerke and his wife Susan Edmondson of Pilot Grove; Mike Gerke and his wife Shari of Springfield, Missouri; daughter Joanne Smith and her husband Blake of Overland Park, Kansas; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Ted Murphy, of Lee's Summit.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by five siblings: Vernon (in infancy), Mabel Schuster, Earl Wolf, Irene Koechner and Elmer Wolf.

Prayers of the Rosary will begin at 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with visitation to follow until 6:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Anthony Onyeihe officiating.

Casket bearers will be grandsons.

Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Church and School, in care of the Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Katy Manor and Hometown Homecare for the care they provided.