LORI GERKEN

Lori Gerken, 61, of Wagner was born June 17, 1963 to Harold and Betty Serles in Sioux Falls. She died Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Lori’s Life will be held at a later date.

Lori met Alphonse Gerken in 1977 and later married him December 3, 1982. They were married for 40 years until Alphonse passed January 23, 2023. They were blessed with five children: Eric, George, Natasha, Daniel and Autumn. She loved her children very much and was the backbone of her family that held them together and made it work.

Lori was a CNA/PAW for 40+ years, working the last 18 at the Wagner Good Samaritan Center. When she wasn’t working or taking care of her family she liked to garden, grow house plants, visit garage sales and to go thrifting.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: George Gerken and his wife Fay Langdeaux, Natasha Gerken, Daniel Gerken and Autumn Gerken; her grandchildren: Isces, Irys, Iyana, Izadora and Brooklyn; great grandchildren: Creed and Reece; her siblings: Jerry Baker, Suzette Whiteshirt, Lizzie Richert, as well as Daniel Stinger and sister-in-law Helen Gerken.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Betty Serles, husband Alphonse Gerken, her son Eric Serles; siblings: Francis Serles, Ila Bankes, Larae Honeycutt, Ritchie Jaques, Randy Jaques.