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Shirley Mae Gerken
08/31/1935 — 02/16/2007
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Sandpoint, Idaho
Shirley Mae Gerken
Shirley Mae Gerken, age 71, passed away from complications of multiple myeloma February 16, 2007.
She was born on August 31, 1935 in Sandpoint Idaho to Hugh and Eva Thurlow. She was raised in Sandpoint the youngest of six children.
Despite her fathers warning to stay away from those wild Gerken boys, she fell in love with Arnold K. Gerken. They married on November 26, 1955. They lived on the road in a trailer while Arnold worked on gas pipelines across the Northwest. With the addition of their third child in 1962, it was time to settle down. They built their home in Richland WA. It was here that they raised their three children, and where Shirley had many happy times with her six grandchildren, who lovingly called her Granny.
Shirley worked as an accounts payable clerk for J. A. Jones and Kaiser Engineering until she retired in 1992. In retirement she and Arnold spent many summers in Montana at Lake Koocanusa, and traveling with the Roamin Elks travel club. She enjoyed playing cribbage, bridge and any other game that involved cards. Shirley always looked forward to ladies night out, and the occasional trip to Vegas.
Shirley never met a stranger, and she never missed a chance to let you know about her children and grandchildren, a short trip to the store could stretch into hours, as she always saw someone she knew. All who had a chance to know her will dearly miss Shirley.
Shirley is survived by her children Mark A.Gerken Anne, and Marsha Skogley from Richland, and Arnold H. Gerken Dawn from West Richland; her six grandchildren Katie Phillips John, Crystal Skogley, Alex Skogley all from Richland, Cori Gerken and Andrew Gerken from West Richland and Mark R. Gerken BreeAna of Knoxville, TN; one great grandson Josh Phillips; sisters Beverly Paul Del Libby, MT, and Donna Collinson from Tacoma, WA; one brother Gene Thurlow Jenny from Sandpoint, ID; numerous nieces and nephews and her loving cat Leo.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 ½ years Arnold K. Gerken; parents Hugh and Eva Thurlow; brother Jerry Thurlow; and sister Evelyn McNearney.
Memorial service will be held at Einans Funeral Home in Richland on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 1:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions can be made to the National Cancer Society.
My sincere sympathies for your loss, I had only talked with Shirley a few times when She and my cousin would go to Sandpoint and visit my Mother, but a few times was all it took and you were hooked, she was one of those people that you took to instantly with her big heart and smile, what a beautiful lady she will truely be missed.
My families thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I worked in the same building as Shirley while at Kaiser. She was always a happy, smiling person with a great sense of humor and wit.
Oh, how I love my dear Aunt Shirley. It broke my heart to hear she had passed. My favorite memories of she and Uncle Arnold will always be of the fun we had at my wedding and reception. We will miss her so much.
My deepest sympathy is with your family and Leo. Even though I only met your mother a few times, I am so blessed too have known her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan Hall
My sincere sympathies for your loss, I had only talked with Shirley a few times when She and my cousin would go to Sandpoint and visit my Mother, but a few times was all it took and you were hooked, she was one of those people that you took to instantly with her big heart and smile, what a beautiful lady she will truely be missed.
My families thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I worked in the same building as Shirley while at Kaiser. She was always a happy, smiling person with a great sense of humor and wit.
Oh, how I love my dear Aunt Shirley. It broke my heart to hear she had passed. My favorite memories of she and Uncle Arnold will always be of the fun we had at my wedding and reception. We will miss her so much.
My deepest sympathy is with your family and Leo. Even though I only met your mother a few times, I am so blessed too have known her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan Hall
Dear Family, I knew Shirley and her family when I was younger, I went to school with Jerry. We felt bad about the things that she went through and worse when she died.We last saw her at a 50’s school reunion. We all will have wonderful memories of her. We know that all of you will have memories to last a lifetime, she was a great person.
Sicere sympathy from Pascal Spade and family.
Shirley & I met on the pipeline circuit in our trailer house in Sandpoint. I was pregnant with my twins Rita and Robert and she was pregnant with Arnold Hugh Peewee. I already had a boy & a girl Leonard & Cathe who weren’t 3 yet.
She referred me to Dr. Hayden and I have been forever grateful. We stayed in touch for many years and have always felt close even though our paths have gone different directions.
She had such good common sense, wonderful sense of humour and such a spirit of enjoyment of life that she will continue to live on in all whose lives she touched! Thank you Shirley for touching mine.
Our sincere condolences to Mark, Marsha & Arnold Hugh and all of your families. Love & Hugs, June & Blayne, Leonard, Cathy, Robert & Rita
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Shirley Mae Gerken