The following article, written by Roxanne King, appeared in the Denver Catholic Register on February 10, 1999.

Elmer Gerken recalled as a 'first class gentleman'

Founder of church supply company known, loved across state

By Roxanne King

Elmer Gerken, founder and owner of Gerken's Church Supply in Denver, died of a heart attack Sunday, Jan. 31. He was 77.

Friends and family remembered him as a gracious store owner with a fun sense of humor who was devoted to his family and Church.

The night before he died, Gerken was photographed at an area fund raising dinner with Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, the former archbishop of Denver, now president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. It was a momentous occasion for the beloved Catholic businessman, his son Ray Gerken said.

A church goods supplier since 1953 -- when he was partners in a store called Daleiden's -- Gerken knew nearly all Catholic clergy, as well as the clergy of other denominations. He was a solicitous shop keeper, who went in to work daily until his death, overseeing the operation now run by sons Ray Gerken and Mike Gerken. The elder Gerken sat at a desk near the front of the store, located at 1175 Santa Fe the past 20 years, so he could greet customers.

"Elmer was always a first-class gentleman, whenever I came into the store he always stopped whatever he was doing and made me feel special. I will miss him," said Father Ken Leone, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Church in Littleton.

Gerken built a business that draws from across the metro-area and includes a mail order catalog that serves a 400-mile radius. He emphasized gracious customer service with his staff an would give employees a spelling lesson if they misspelled a customer's name or a religious term, son Ray Gerken said.

Despite his success, Gerken drove a 1982 Chevrolet and never made the transition to a computer, preferring a typewriter and calculator, Ray Gerken said.

"He was never into anything showy or flashy," Ray Gerken said, adding that his father found joy in work and family.

"He didn't really look at his job as work," Ray Gerken said. "At home he would play the piano after dinner and we'd all get around and sing."

A devout Catholic, Gerken's work and home life both were immersed in his faith. Born April 13, 1921, in Templeton, Iowa, Gerken served in the United States Navy during World War II. He worked for a brother's religious goods store in Iowa before branching into business in Denver, Ray Gerken said.

A member of St. James Church in Denver for more than 40 years, he attended daily Mass and sent his 11 children to school there. Over the years he directed two choirs at St. James and was active on parish council, the stewardship committee and fund raising for building projects.

"Elmer [Gerken] was a faith-filled man; very generous, very willing to help. He was well loved in this parish," said Father Brian Morrow, St. James pastor.

Gerken's willingness to help extended to the larger community as well, he served as a former governor of Serra Club and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. For more than 25 years, he played at weddings for the servicemen at Lowry Air Force Base.

Friends and family said they will miss Gerken's devotion and sense of humor.

Noting that he and Gerken had an ongoing competition over who was wearing the "flashiest" socks, Father Morrow said, "He was a great tease, a lot of fun."

Longtime family friend, Father Frank Gold, chaplain for Exempla St. Joseph's Hospital and homilist for Gerken's funeral Mass Feb. 3, agreed, saying: "What I will miss the most is his deep lived faith and love for family and church--and his ability to keep us laughing and singing in the midst of all."

Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Gerken is survived by his wife of 54 years Bonnie, six daughters, five sons, 42 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be sent to: St. James Building Fund 13l4 Newport St., Denver, CO 80220.

Copyright © 1999 The Archdiocese of Denver
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© 2001 Tom Larson P.O. Box 141 Peosta, IA 52068-0141 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tdlarson/gerken/henry/louis/elmer.htm Last revised October 31, 2001.