Leota Gerken

George, IA

     Leota Gerken age 96, of George, IA, died Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.

     Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 24^th at Zoar Presbyterian Church, rural George, IA, with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

     Visitation will be Friday, September 23^rd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zoar Presbyterian Church, rural George, IA.

Leota Gerken was born on a farm northwest of George, Iowa on March 22, 1926, the daughter of Dick and Trena (Goldhorn) Siebrands. She attended country school in Liberal Township and worked on the farm helping with all aspects of farm life. In 1949, Leota married Jack Gerken and moved to their family farm east of George where she continued to reside until April 1, 2022.

Jack and Leota were blessed with 9 children. She spent her days taking care of the growing family, washing clothes, making meals and keeping house, in addition to staying busy with outside chores of the farm.

Leota had a determination and work ethic like no other. She never complained and if there was something that needed to be done, she just did it. After her kids were grown, Leota started working at the Good Samaritan Home in George. For 39 years she continued caring for others, putting smiles on faces, and helping where she could before retiring from the nursing home at the age of 90. Leota will be remembered for making Sunday dinners for her family and hosting with coffee and desserts for whoever could come. Leota loved doing the morning chores, maintaining the yard and mowing the acreage on the riding mower and trimming with the push mower. She continued her independent lifestyle well into her nineties until December 30, 2021, when a stroke slowed her down. Her determined attitude allowed her to remain in her home until April 1, 2022 when she moved to the nursing home for additional help. On September 21, 2022 she was called home.

Leota is survived by eight children: John (wife Maria) Gerken of Doon, IA; Mary Gerken of May City, IA; Ruthie (husband Mark) Dickmann of George; Jackie Kruger of Navarre, FL; Lori (husband Eldon) Sneller of Doon; Charlie (wife Georgia) Gerken of George, IA; Cindy (husband Paul) Kruse of Sioux Falls, SD and Darwin (wife Brenda) Gerken of George; along with eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her son, James Gerken; parents, Dick and Trena Siebrands, three sisters, Elvina Siebrands, Margaret Krull and Lavonne Klaassen; three brothers, Ben,  Laurence, Richard Siebrands; a sister-in-law, Irene Siebrands; two brothers-in-law, Henry Krull and Alfred Klaassen.

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