Dean Gerke

COLUMBUS - Dean Gerke, 77, passed away on March 27, 2010, at the Beartooth Manor in Columbus, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Dean was born June 18, 1932, in Helena, to Harold and Vera Gerke. He spent his childhood and elementary school years in Glendive and Richey, and then his family moved to Billings. Dean graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1950. After high school, Dean attended Rocky Mountain College for three years, and then spent two years in the Navy. He returned to Rocky Mountain College to finish his fourth year of school and graduated in 1956. At Rocky, he excelled in baseball, football and basketball. He began his teaching and coaching career in Baker. In 1959, Dean married Vivian Roy from Baker. During his lifetime he was a coach and teacher in Lovell, Wyo., Butte, and Bozeman. Over the span of his coaching career he earned one state championship in Lovell, Wyo. in 1963. After teaching and coaching for 20 years, in 1976, he moved his family to Columbus. In Columbus, he worked in the ranching and real estate business. Dean and Viv had four children, Dennis, Jeri, Kathi, and Jamie.  Dean was active on City Council, the Hospital Board, the Stillwater Golf Course Board and a volunteer for Hospice for many years throughout his life. In 1998, Dean was inducted into the Rocky Mountain College Athletic Hall of Fame. Dean's hobbies include golf and all other sports and morning visits with his coffee buddies. Dean cherished his family and was proud of his children and grandchildren. He was happiest when they were all around and he would give us his "Woody Woodpecker" laugh.  Dean was always known for his quick-witted humor. Dean spent many hours in the gymnasium coaching and watching his own kids and grandkids play basketball. You could always hear him yelling a few choice words at the referees.

Dean is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vivian; children, Dennis (Lisa) Gerke of Belt, Jeri (Scott) Heard of Billings, Kathi Balasek (Randy Cromwell) of Chico, Calif., Jamie (Joel) Basta of Glendive; grandchildren, Craig, Nichole, and Andy Widhalm, Kara Gerke, Kelly, Kerry, and Sara Heard, Michael, Kayla, Camille, Madison, and Jesse Balasek, Sam and Edi Cromwell, Kirby, Riley, and Molly Basta; mother-in-law, Lizetta Roy of Harrisonville, Mo.; aunt Lucille Donaldson of Rockville, Md; and uncle John (Jane) Adamson of Shoshoni, Wyo. He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Vera Gerke; son-in-law Jon Balasek, and father-in-law, L.M. Roy.

The family would like to thank the staff at Beartooth Manor and Dr. David Kane for their constant and loving care at the end of his life. In memory of Dean Gerke memorials can be made to Riverstone Health Hospice Stillwater, P.O. 703, Columbus, MT 59019, Columbus CongregationalChurch, 138 N. 4th Street, Columbus, MT 59019, or any foundation of your choice.

Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Community Congregational Church in Columbus with inurnment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Smith Funeral Chapel-Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

"God is always the winner, he gets the best players."