Obituary for Kenneth "Ken" Gerke

He was born August 13, 1933, in La Crosse, to Alvin and Elizabeth (Roesler) Gerke. Ken served in the United States Army for four years in Germany. On December 28, 1957, he married Jacquelyn Finch at Blessed Sacrament Parish in La Crosse. Ken worked at Allis Chalmers, Forest Hills Golf Course as a groundskeeper, and did construction. He also enjoyed wood-working, feeding birds, and watching old shows on television. Ken was a member of the American Legion Post 52, the Eagles Club, and the Moose Lodge, all of La Crosse.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Jackie; four children, Kat (Clifton) Ransom, Joan (Ernie) Padgett, Sue (Carl) Storandt, and Dan (Julie) Gerke; three grandchildren, Al (Katie) Storandt, Josh (Kathy) Storandt, and Chris (Amy) Gerke; four great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Sr. Malinda Gerke, Elizabeth Roth, Donna (Paul) Cuta, Jim (Darlene) Gerke, Paul (Sally) Gerke, Mary Ellen (Dave) Clements, Greg (Pat) Gerke, Mary Lu Gerke; and sister-in-law, Betty Gerke.

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his son, Dennis; brothers, Alfred (Ann) Gerke, Gene Gerke, Don (Barb) Gerke, and Alvin Gerke, Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Richard Roth.

A Catholic Prayer Service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, 4239 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse. Deacon David Allen will officiate. Following the service, military honors will be rendered at the funeral home by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.