Deborah Jean "Debbie" GERKE

Deborah Jean Gerke "Debbie" of Spokane, Washington, passed peacefully in her sleep to join her Savior on December 29, 2022.

Debbie was born on April 5, 1960, to Gale Leaverne "Jack" and Sharlee Darlene (née McLaughlin) Dahl. She married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Gerke, in 1978. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Mollie and Maggie. They were very involved with the Spangle Gun Club, Debbie serving as Treasurer and Joe as Vice President, for many years. To this day, daughter Maggie is a crack shot, and both daughters fondly reminisce about their childhood afternoons in Spangle. They also spent many weekends camping during "adventures" for bass-fishing tournaments.

Debbie had a brilliant mathematical mind. She spent the majority of her career working in payroll for Sacred Heart Hospital. She also worked as the controller for Affordable Custom Cabinets and later in surgical staffing for Deaconess Hospital. Her daughters also reminisce about Debbie's acumen for Yahtzee, which they played together many evenings. Debbie's keen intellect for numbers and patterns also led her to enjoy BINGO and she also excelled in bowling and pool. She loved listening to country music and never turned down an opportunity to attend a concert.

Debbie's greatest joy was being a grandmother, or as her grandkids called her, Nanny. Despite her busy work schedule and later health issues, "Nanny" was able to be there to help with all three of her grandchildren's births. She also made a point to never miss their birthday parties and Christmas morning celebrations.

Debbie was predeceased by her father, Jack. She is survived by her mother, Sharlee, brothers John, Doug, and Jim, daughters Mollie Knoll (Steve) and Maggie Merck (Jon), and grandchildren Macoy, Monroe, and Meadow Knoll. Debbie is also survived by her ex-husband, Joe, who, despite their divorce, showed her the utmost respect through the end.

Despite life's many trials, Debbie chose to give her life to the Lord. In her last months and during her hospital visits, Debbie insisted that her Bible be kept by her side. Whenever her daughters visited, they made sure to read Debbie the Gospel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Debbie's name to the Spokane Humane Society at spokanehumanesociety.org/donate. Thank you.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Cathedral on January 19, at 11:00 am. In the meantime, please thank the Lord for all that is good, for all of the happy memories of Debbie, and for all of the wonderful things Debbie will witness in our lives from heaven.