Dolores I Gerken
March 26, 2015Share using:
Dolores I. Gerken, 87, of Farley, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Heritage Manor in Dubuque, Iowa. According to her wishes, there will be no public visitation or services, and her final resting place will be with her parents at Mt Calvary Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home & Cremetory, 2595 Rockdale Road is assisting the family.
Dolores was born on November 1, 1927 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Ewald and Anna (Schumacher) Gerken.
She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Dubuque, and worked at Stampfer’s Department Store. In 1947 she joined the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Victory and located to Huntington, IN. As a missionary Dolores served in Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. During that time, she received a Master of Arts Degree. Later she was Director of Religious Education at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, MD, and St. Bridget’s Church in Richmond, VA. The next 20 years, Dolores resided in the area near Barboursville, VA, where she developed a deep appreciation of antiques, acquired her skill in the art of basketry, and became a Master Gardener. She crafted and sold baskets for her business, Virginia Basketree.
In 1994, Dolores moved back to the Dubuque area, and lived next door to her brother and sister in-law, Bill & Donna, in Farley. She founded the Iowa Basket Maker Guild, and taught basket weaving classes at NICC in Peosta. Dolores volunteered at Mercy Medical Center, Divine Word Seminary, Meals on Wheels, Dubuque Dispute Resolution Center, and Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. In addition, she enjoyed listening to classical music, reading, crocheting, gardening, and playing dominoes and cribbage, and of course, making baskets.
Dolores is survived by her brothers and sister-in-laws: Ewald Gerken, of Cascade; William (Donna) Gerken, of Farley; Joan Gerken, of Naperville, IL; Marlene Gerken, of Dubuque; and nieces, nephews, and friends, near and afar.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louise (Wilfred) Coakley, Donald (Ann) Gerken, Teresa (Donald) McCoy, Adrian Gerken, Joan (Vernon) Larson, Elizabeth Gerken, Mary (John) Temple, Daniel (Joyce) Gerken, and Loras Gerken.
The family wishes to thank Heritage Manor for the care and kindness they provided.
Memorials may be given to the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
