Dennis Gerke

Dennis C. Gerke age 79, of Willmar and formerly of New London, died Monday morning, January 12, at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 at Peterson Brother Funeral Home in Willmar. Graveside services will be held at a later date at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Wood Lake.

Dennis Clayton Gerke was born on July 23, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Donald R.A. and Alice T. (Maland) Gerke. He grew up and received his education in Minneapolis and spent his summers as a youth visiting cousins in Long Prairie. In 1954, Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his military service, Dennis moved back to Minneapolis and was married to Barbara McGhan. To this union they were blessed with four children and later divorced. On November 23, 1963, Dennis was married to Vicki Lea Just and they made their home in Vesta. In 1985, they moved to New London and Dennis was employed with the New London-Spicer School District as a custodian and grounds keeper, retiring in 2010. He enjoyed wood carving, drawing, hunting, fishing and tying flies for fishing. Dennis was a member of the American Legion Post.

He is survived by three sons, Donald Gerke of Big Lake, Dennis Jr. (and Betsy) Gerke of Cass Lake, Michael (and Stacie) Gerke of New London; four daughters, Wanda (and Pete) Rasmussen of Big Lake, Julia (and Scott) Nilsen of Big Lake, Lori (and Kent) Doehling of Willmar and Sara Gerke of Willmar; ten grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vicki in 2004; and two sisters, Donna Mae and Colleen.