The Gerken-Larson Heritage:

The 19th and 20th Centuries

A Family History

Herman Gerken (1819-1875)
Henry Gerken (1855-1914)
Ewald Gerken (1895-1956)
Joan (Gerken) Larson (1926-1994)
Thomas Larson (1962-)

Researched and written by
Tom Larson

William H. "Bill" Gerken was a son of William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken Gerken. Bill was a first cousin to my grandfather, Ewald Gerken. Bill's father William was a brother to Henry Gerken, my great-grandfather. T.L.

William and Ida (Diers) Gerken

William Henry Gerken was born on October 11, 1891, at the family homestead east of Dyersville, Iowa, the first of six children born to William and Carolina (Wuebbelt) Gerken. His siblings were Laura, Oscar, Thecla, Ludwig, and Oliva. Bill also had seven half-brothers and sisters, Addie, John, Frank, Henry, Leo, Rudy, and Molly, who were children of William Gerken and his first wife, Elizabeth Sudmeier, who died in 1888.

MISS IDA DIERS IS BRIDE OF THE WEEK
WAS MARRIED TUESDAY MORNING TO MR. WILLIAM GERKEN.
Rev. Father R. Gerken Officiated at Ceremony at St. Boniface Church.
On Tuesday morning, June 19, 1917, at 8 o'clock, a pretty wedding was solemnized at St. Boniface Church, when Miss Ida Diers of New Vienna, Iowa, became the bride of Mr. William Gerken of Dyersville. The Reverend Father Rudolph Gerken, brother of the groom, officiated at the nuptial ceremony and high mass. Miss Pauline Diers, sister of the bride, was her attendant, and Mr. Oscar Gerken, brother of the groom, was the best man. After the church services the young couple were tendered a reception at the home of the bride's parents, northwest of town, where near relatives had congregated to extend their best wishes to the newlyweds.

The bride was tastily [tastefully?] gowned in a wedding frock of white crepe de chien trimmed with beads. Her bridal veil was arranged cap fashion tucked with white carnations and ferns, and she carried an arm bouquet of the same flowers. Her maid wore a dress of yellow crepe de chien, trimmed in beads and also carried carnations.

The bride was described by the Dyersville Commercial as being one one of New Vienna's most accomplished young ladies, who merited the esteem of all by her womanly character and goodness of heart. Ida Elizabeth Diers was born on September 17, 1892, daughter of Edward and Anna (Jasper) Diers. Ida was reared at New Vienna, being educated in St. Boniface School. The groom was described as being a prominent and progressive young man, well and favorably known. He was employed at the Koelker hardware store at Dyersville and had prepared a home for his bride in the eastern part of that city, where the happy couple began housekeeping. Their many friends extended felicitations.

Having first settled in Dubuque County, Bill and Ida Gerken lived in Monona, Iowa, for a time before following Bill's brother Rudy, a Catholic priest and the first bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo, to Texas. Bill helped his brother build churches and other parish buildings in the area. He was a mechanic by trade and later worked as a salesman. Bill and Ida settled at Amarillo. They were members St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

William and Ida Gerken had eight children, Gilbert Gerken, Donald Gerken, Howard Gerken, Paul Gerken, Rudolph Gerken, Mark Gerken, Margaret Gerken, and Edward Gerken.

Bill Gerken dies.
W. H. "Bill" Gerken of 4214 S. Fannin St., Amarillo, Texas, and formerly of Dyersville, Iowa, died Saturday, May 27, 1972, at Northwest Texas Hospital. He was 80 years old. Mr. Gerken was a retired salesman and a native of Dyersville, Iowa, and had been a resident of Amarillo for the past 31 years.

Funeral ervices were held Tuesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. with a con-celebrated mass offered by Rev. Richard MacLellan, the pastor of St. Joseph's, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis A. Smyer of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and the Rev. A.M. Bottoms of Blessed Sacrament Church. Bishop DeFalco was present in the sanctuary. Interment was in Llano Cemetery. The Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Survivors included his wife, Ida; seven sons, Gilbert W. of Largo, Fla.; E. Donald and Rudy Gerken, both of Albuquerque, N.M.; Howard J. Gerken, Paul, Ed, and Mark W., all of Amarillo, Texas; and one daughter, Sister Mary Mark of Pampa. Other survivors are one brother, Oscar of Guttenberg, Ia.; three sisters, Mrs. Ben B. Willenborg and Mrs. Thecla Bruggeman, both of Dyersville, Ia., and Mrs. W.P. Janssen of Umbarger, Texas. He was also survived by 28 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Ida Elizabeth (Diers) Gerken dies.
Ida E. Gerken died on August 19, 1974, at Amarillo, Texas, and she was buried in Llano Cemetery at Amarillo.

Children of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken:

Gilbert William Gerken was born at Dyersville, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Gilbert Gerken married Anna Martenstein on February 22, 1947, at Richmond, Virginia. Gilbert was a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Gilbert and Anna Gerken lived at Largo, Florida. Gilbert and Anna Gerken had three children, Lynn D. Gerken, Gilbert William "Bill" Gerken, and Austin Donald "Don" Gerken.
Edward Donald Gerken was born on October 3, 1919, at New Vienna, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Donald Gerken married Mary Margaret Boehning on August 9, 1943, at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they continued to reside. Mary Margaret Boehning was born on January 15, 1922, at Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter of Albert William and Henrietta (Marohn) Boehning. Mary attended Monte Vista Elementary School and St. Mary's School and graduated from St. Vincent's Academy.
      Don and Mary Gerken had seven children: Gerald Edward Gerken, Janis Lynn Gerken, Linda Ann Gerken, Carol Ruth Gerken, Mark Donald Gerken, Jean Marie Gerken, and Matthew John Gerken.
E. Donald Gerken, 66, died in May 1986, with a last residence of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mary Margaret (Boehning) Gerken, 86, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2008. A Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Chapel. Her children invited family and friends to attend a reception in her honor at Risen Savior Catholic Community following the Prayer Service. A Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, September 24, at 10:00 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. French Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
      Mary dedicated her life to her family whom she loved very much. She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
      Mrs. Gerken was survived by her children Gerry Gerken (Dr.), Janis Wood and husband David, Linda Maybury and husband Rick, Carol Henry, Mark Gerken, Jean Bussemeier and husband Mark and Mathew Gerken; grandchildren Adam Gerken, Erica Voges, (Ph.D), Kevin Henry M.D., Eric Henry, Sarah Henry and Chandra Gerken; great grandson, Bram Gerken; brother, Joe Boehning; and various nieces and nephews. Mary Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Don.
Obituary for Mary Gerken was published in the Albuquerque Journal on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, and was accessed online February 15, 2009, at http://obits.abqjournal.com/obits/email_obit/189214
Howard and Bessie Gerken
Howard Joseph Gerken was born on September 5, 1921, at Ranger, Texas, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Howard served as a pilot in Europe during World War II and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Howard Gerken married Bessie Lee Boone on July 25, 1949, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Amarillo, Texas. Bessie Boone was born at Higgins, Texas, daughter of Claude and Clara Bell Weaver. Bessie was baptized into the Catholic faith on July 24, 1949, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Amarillo.
      Howard and Bessie Gerken lived at Amarillo, where they were members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where Howard was a member of Knights of Columbus. Howard worked at Sears Automotive, before retiring after 20 years of service. Bessie worked at Region 16 Education Service Center. Howard and Bessie Gerken had five children, Steven Michael "Mike" Gerken, Cynthia Louise Gerken (who died an infant), Terry Anne Gerken, Rebecca Sue Gerken, and Jeffrey Brian Gerken.
      Howard and Bessie Gerken celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 25, 1999, with a reception at the Caprock High School Commons, hosted by their children and spouses, Mike Gerken of Picayune, Miss., Brad and Terry Henderson of Canadian, Darrell and Rebecca Wilson of Plattsmouth, Neb., and Jeff and Rae Ann Gerken of Georgetown. The couple have 10 grandchildren.
Howard J. Gerken, 82, of Amarillo, Texas, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004. Memorial Mass was at 4 p.m., Friday, May 28, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Ken Keller officiating. Arrangements were by Schooler Funeral Home.
      Howard was a loving husband, daddy and papaw.
      Mr. Gerken was survived by his wife, Bessie; two daughters, Terry Anne Henderson of Canadian, Texas, and Rebecca Wilson of Plattsmouth, Neb.; two sons, Mike Gerken of Picayune, Miss., and Jeff Gerken of Georgetown, Texas; a sister, Sister Margaret Gerken of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, Edward Gerken of Amarillo, Texas, and Gilbert Gerken of Florida; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Louise.
Source for Howard Gerken's obituary information: Amarillo Globe-News, May 27, 2004, posted online at http://www.amarillo.com/stories/052704/obi_gerkenob.shtml
Paul John Gerken was born on June 18, 1923, at New Vienna, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Paul Gerken married Marjie Maurine Wilkenson on March 28, 1944, at Portales, New Mexico. Marjie Wilkenson was born on October 23, 1925, at Willow Springs, Missouri, daughter of Garford and Gertrude Louise Lovan Wilkenson. Paul and Marjie Gerken lived at Amarillo, Texas. Paul and Marjie Gerken had two children, John Richard Gerken and Judith Anne Gerken.
Marjie Gerken, 59, died on November 12, 1984.
In February 1986 Paul Gerken married Opal McMinn at Amarillo, Texas.
Paul J. Gerken died in June 1991.
Rudolph Henry Gerken was born on May 5, 1925, at New Vienna, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Rudolph was baptized at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna on May 8, 1925. Rudolph Gerken married Cecelia Barbara Zimmer on October 27, 1956, at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cecelia Zimmer was born at Youngstown, Ohio, daughter of Joseph Ignatius and Cecelia Mary Wey Zimmer. Rudy was an electrician, and Cecelia worked in word processing. Rudy and Cecelia had four children, Mary Beth Gerken, David Anthony Gerken, Deborah Lynn Gerken, and Andrew Michael Gerken.
Rudolph H. Gerken, 64, died on December 13, 1989. Rudolph H. Gerken, PFC US Army, was buried on December 15 in Santa Fe National Cemetery at Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Section 6, Site 3207.
William Mark Gerken was born on July 28, 1927, at Dyersville, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. William Gerken, who was called by his middle name of "Mark," was an accountant, and he lived in Amarillo, Texas.
W. Mark Gerken, 77, of Amarillo, Texas, died on May 27, 1995.
Elizabeth Margaret Gerken was born at Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Elizabeth Gerken, who was known as "Margie," entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas, in 1947. For many years she used the name of Sister Mary Mark but was later known as Sister Margaret. Sister taught school for about 12 years and at Incarnate Word College for 7 years. She served in the missions of Peru and Mexico. Sister Margaret Gerken earned an M.Ed. from the Texas University of Austin and an M.S. Spiritual Theology at Oblate College, San Antonio. She later served in Parish Ministry.
Ed and Lyn Gerken
Luke Edward Gerken was born at Monona, Iowa, son of William and Ida (Diers) Gerken. Luke Gerken, who was known by his middle name of Edward, married Carolyn Elizabeth Mallett on July 22, 1950, at Cathedral Hall, St. Mary, at Amarillo, Texas. Carolyn Mallett, who was called "Lyn," was born at Abilene, Texas, daughter of Beatty and Margaret Gissell Mallett. Ed and Lyn Gerken lived at Amarillo. Edward was a program coordinator in Pan., Texas. The Saint George Medal of Recognition was given to Edward for his outstanding work with the scouts of St. Joseph's Parish in Amarillo. It was presented by Msgr. F. Smyer of St. Joseph's. Ed and Lyn Gerken had nine children, Marilyn Catherine Gerken, Daniel Edward Gerken, Garry Patrick Gerken, Margaret Gayla Gerken, Janet Elizabeth Gerken, Laura Ann Gerken, Martha Sue Gerken, Marcus Charles Gerken, and Patricia Lyn Gerken.
Ed and Lyn Gerken of Amarillo, Texas, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception on Saturday, July 22, 2000, at the Ambassador Hotel. Hosts for the event were their children Cathe Lytle and Gayla Gerken, both of Amarillo, Texas; Dan Gerken of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Garry Gerken of Oskaloosa, Kan.; Janet Jelinek of Missouri City, Texas; Laura Briant of Gilmer, Texas; Martha Purcell of Kingwood, Texas; and Mark Gerken of Austin, Texas.
- obituaries for Garry P. Gerken, a son of Ed and Lyn Gerken
  
  from the February 10, 2002, Amarillo Globe-News, online at http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/021002/obi_allobits.shtml
  Garry P. Gerken, 47, of Amarillo died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002.
        Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the chapel of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Monsignor Joseph Tash officiating. Burial will be in Oskaloosa, Kan. Local arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.
        Mr. Gerken was a 1973 graduate of Tascosa High School. He was an independent contractor in the bowling center business for 20 years.
        Survivors include a daughter, Amanda Gerken of Oskaloosa; his parents, Ed and Lyn Gerken of Amarillo; five sisters, Cathe Lytle and Gayla Gerken, both of Amarillo, Janet Jelinek of Missouri City, Laura Briant of Gilmer and Martha Purcell of Kingwood; two brothers, Dan Gerken of Rock Springs, Wyo., and Mark Gerken of Round Rock; two granddaughters; eight nieces; and eight nephews.
        The family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176.
  from the Friday, February 15, 2002, Lawrence Journal-World, online at http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2002/feb/15/gerken_services/
  Oskaloosa � Memorial services for Garry Patrick Gerken, 47, Oskaloosa, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Barnett Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Private family inurnment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery, Oskaloosa.
        Mr. Gerken died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice, Amarillo, Tex. He had cancer.
        He was born Jan. 26, 1955, in Amarillo, the son of Ed and Lyn (Mallett) Gerken. He graduated from Tascosa High School, Amarillo, in 1973. He had lived in Oskaloosa since 1991.
        Mr. Gerken worked many years as a bowling center mechanic. He was the current owner and operator of a bowling center installation business that he founded in 1978.
        He married Cynthia Lynne Vandiver on Sept. 30, 1978. They were divorced in 1999.
        Survivors include a daughter, Amanda Sue Gerken, Oskaloosa; a stepson, Scott Vandiver, Bella Vista, Ark.; his parents, Amarillo; five sisters, Cathe Lytle and Gayla Gerken, both of Amarillo, Janet Jelinek, Missouri City, Tex., Laura Briant, Gilmer, Tex., and Martha Purcell, Kingwood, Tex.; and two granddaughters.
        The family suggests memorials to the hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Tex. 79176.

Sources include, primarily, an account of the marriage and the obituary for Bill Gerken from the Dyersville Commercial, A Family Tree of the William Gerken Family, updated by Sister Margaret Gerken in 1986, and 50th wedding anniversary announcements for Howard Gerken and for Ed Gerken appearing in the Amarillo News-Globe.

Click here for the Gerken family history contents page.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tdlarson/gerken/william/william.htm
Last revised February 15, 2009.