IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Raymond Benedict
Gerk
January 18, 1928 – November 6, 2016
Obituary
Raymond Benedict Gerk, 88 of Sterling entered eternal life on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 in Sterling. A Vigil Service and Recitation of the Rosary will be 6:00 p.m., Wed., Nov. 9 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10 at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Bodzioch officiating. Inurnment to follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Raymond was born January 18, 1928 in Sterling to John and Catherine (Dillie) Gerk. He had the distinction of being the first baby born at St. Benedict Hospital in Sterling. He grew up in Iliff and attended the Iliff schools. Raymond married the love of his life, Dorothy Applehans on January 10th, 1950 at St. Anthony Catholic Church. They enjoyed and went on many adventures together; including trips to California in their camper, fishing and hunting trips in the mountains and vacations to Las Vegas and Minneapolis.
Raymond's first job was at the Goodrich Dairy picking up milk from the Padroni and Peetz farmers. He held many different jobs through the years. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a mechanic helper, at Venohr Texaco Service Station, and at the Pomeroy and Pomeroy delivering beer. Ray retired from the Sterling Beef Plant after many years of service. After retirement, Raymond and Dorothy continued traveling and spent their leisure time fishing, hunting and camping with their children and grandchildren. Many wonderful memories were made through these adventures. He maintained the Sterling Boat Club for many years and he took pride and enjoyment in working at the reservoir. Ray delivered windshields for Smart Parts and he tended a beautiful garden. Raymond was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Raymond is survived by his daughters, Julie Maynard and husband Herman, Janice Green; sons, James Gerk and wife Marilyn, Daniel Gerk and wife JoAnn; sister Josephine; and 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, parents and 8 siblings.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Anthony Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society through Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.
Raymond was born January 18, 1928 in Sterling to John and Catherine (Dillie) Gerk. He had the distinction of being the first baby born at St. Benedict Hospital in Sterling. He grew up in Iliff and attended the Iliff schools. Raymond married the love of his life, Dorothy Applehans on January 10th, 1950 at St. Anthony Catholic Church. They enjoyed and went on many adventures together; including trips to California in their camper, fishing and hunting trips in the mountains and vacations to Las Vegas and Minneapolis.
Raymond's first job was at the Goodrich Dairy picking up milk from the Padroni and Peetz farmers. He held many different jobs through the years. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a mechanic helper, at Venohr Texaco Service Station, and at the Pomeroy and Pomeroy delivering beer. Ray retired from the Sterling Beef Plant after many years of service. After retirement, Raymond and Dorothy continued traveling and spent their leisure time fishing, hunting and camping with their children and grandchildren. Many wonderful memories were made through these adventures. He maintained the Sterling Boat Club for many years and he took pride and enjoyment in working at the reservoir. Ray delivered windshields for Smart Parts and he tended a beautiful garden. Raymond was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Raymond is survived by his daughters, Julie Maynard and husband Herman, Janice Green; sons, James Gerk and wife Marilyn, Daniel Gerk and wife JoAnn; sister Josephine; and 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, parents and 8 siblings.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Anthony Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society through Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Benedict Gerk, please visit our flower store.
Raymond Benedict Gerk's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors