Mary Irene Gerke

Mary Irene Gerke, age 92, of Tipton, MO, passed away peacefully with family members by her side on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Rock Island Village in Eldon, MO.

Born on July 13, 1932, in Howard County, MO, Irene was the beloved daughter of Joseph Frank and Mary Agnes (Vollrath) Lang. Irene spent her formative years growing up on the family farm southwest of Boonville, MO. She was united in marriage to Leonard O. Gerke of Lone Elm, MO on August 28, 1951, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Martinsville, MO. 

A lifelong Catholic, Irene devoted herself to her family and her passions as a homemaker and the owner of Irene’s Ceramics. In 1965, she began crafting ceramics in her basement, a humble beginning that blossomed into a cherished local business known for its exquisite nativity scenes and festive Christmas trees. Irene’s creativity extended beyond ceramics to gardening, sewing, and oil painting on canvas. 

Irene is lovingly remembered by her eight children: James “Jim” Leonard Gerke (Belva) of Laurie, MO; Mary Elizabeth Baker (Richard) of Desoto, KS; Thomas “Tom” Anthony Gerke of Leawood, KS; Roy Wayne Gerke (Beth McQuillan) of Scarsdale, NY; Kent Joseph Gerke (Sherryl) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Jeanna Ann Pameticky of California, MO; Jane Rose Bishop (Dean) of Bunceton, MO; and Janet Lynn Henley (Rodney) of California, MO. She is also survived by three siblings: Frances Lang of Virginia; Rita Twenter (Arthur) of Pilot Grove, MO; and Terry Lang of Pilot Grove, MO; eighteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Frank and Mary Agnes Lang; her husband, Leonard O. Gerke; three siblings; Rose Ann Lang, Joan Kammerich (Curtis) and Karen Pettey (Nick); sister- in-law, Kathy Lang; son-in-law, Ernie Pameticky; and her grandson, Shane Baker.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Irene’s remarkable life at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a visitation until 11:40 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 12:00 p.m., with Father Anthony Viviano officiating. Interment will follow at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Tipton.

Pallbearers will be Eric Gerke, Ben Gerke, Matt Baker, Tom Gerke, David Gerke, Kyle Gerke, and Sam Bishop. The honorary pallbearer will be her late grandson, Shane Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Andrew Catholic School.

Arrangements are under the care of Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home, Tipton, MO.