Mary Ellen Gerking

Mary Ellen Gerking, 86, of Lawton, died Monday, June 22, 2020, at Lawton Senior Living.

In accordance with Mary's wishes, private family memorial mass was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of the Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City, where the the Rev. Daniel Rupp officiating. Her ashes were buried next to her husband, Bob, in Fairview Cemetery, Albaton, Iowa. Arrangements were under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.christysmith.com .

Mary was born on Sept. 29, 1933, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Donald and Helen (Keitges) Dugan. She grew up in Cherokee, Iowa, and graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic High School in Cherokee. She attended college at Creighton University, Wayne State College, and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

Her teaching career began in Bennington, Neb. and she taught in several other cities including Omaha, Long Beach, Calif., Cherokee, and York, Neb. She taught in Sioux City at Joy Elementary for the final 25 years of her career.

Mary married Robert "Bob" Gerking on Jan. 4, 1960. The couple had three children, Mark, Todd, and Tom. Bob died on Oct. 13, 2013.

She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of the Mater Dei Parish until her health no longer allowed her to be.

Surviving are three sons, Mark Gerking of Sioux City, Todd (Jill) Gerking of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thomas Gerking of Sloan, Iowa; four grandchildren, Rachel (Andrew) Fisher of Spirit Lake, Jordi Gerking of St. Paul, Minn., Allison (Jared) Morris of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Jake Gerking of Sioux City; and two great-grandchildren, Lake Fisher and Ada Morris.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert "Bob" Gerking; and her sister, Dottie.

Memorials may be given in her name to June E. Nylen Cancer Center or the Immaculate Conception Education Fund at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of the Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City.