John Jerke

John Jerke, 92, Gackle, ND died Tuesday August 21, 2007 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, ND.

John Jerke was born March 3, 1915 on the family homestead Northwest of Gackle, ND, the son of John Jerke and Maria (Seitz) Jerke. He moved into Gackle with his parents in 1919 where he received his elementary education at the Gackle Public School. He grew to manhood in the vicinity. John went to work on area farms and for carpenters, and he worked for 3 years for the railroad

He and Leah Lang were married on June 20, 1941 in Jamestown, ND. They made their home NE of Gackle where they farmed, and in 1978 he semi-retired from farming. He and Leah enjoyed traveling to Mesa, AZ for the winters and continued to reside NE of Gackle. In August of 2007 he entered the Sheyenne Care Center.

He was a member of the UCC Congregational Church in Gackle. He has served as the Griffin Township Clerk and was a member of the Gackle Wildlife Club.

He is survived by his wife Leah, and 1 brother, Christ Jerke, Gackle, ND, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents 4 brothers, Edward, Emanuel, Rudolf, Gustav and 5 sisters, Bertha, Louisa, Lydia, Emily and Maria.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday August 27, 2007 at the UCC Church in Gackle, ND with Rev. Tim Blackman, officiating.

The interment will be made in the Gackle Cemetery in Gackle, ND.

Visitation: 9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Monday at the Church in Gackle