Iola M. Gierke

Iola Mae Gierke, age 87, of Miles City passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, in Miles City surrounded by family.
Iola was born on January 5, 1937, in Miles City, Montana, the daughter of John Perry and Florence Lucille (Murray) Hanson. She attended grade school at East Fork at Otter Creek and graduated from High School at CCDHS. After graduation, she attended Eastern Montana College and earned an associate's degree in business. Iola stayed in Billings and worked for Sohio Oil Company until 1957. Shortly after George was discharged from the service, he and Iola were married on February 1, 1958, at the Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Following their marriage, Iola went to work for the VA as a personnel officer. From there she worked for their own business, Gierke Distributing, which they began in 1964. They bought the Frito-Lay Franchise and expanded from there, serving all of southeastern Montana.
Iola was a selfless person that always took care of others. She loved walking in the hills, flowers, music, and dancing. She and George won a dance contest where they had to do the waltz, jitterbug, and the two step showing how smooth they moved across the floor, even winning a prize bottle of champagne. She loved cooking, especially for her family, always having a hot meal for them and always having her famous chocolate chip cookies on hand. She and George enjoyed traveling with friends and family all over the country. Iola also loved watching her grandchildren participate in sports, and never missed any activities her children were in.
Iola is survived by her four children: Lance Gierke (Chris) and family, Jason (Colleen) Gierke and family, Allen Gierke (Brooke) and family and Tana Brown (Murray) and family; three sisters-in-law: Beverly Hill, Shirley Gierke, and Marion Hanson; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George in 2014, a brother Darrel Hanson, two sisters: Eileen Beckman and Grace Hines and great granddaughter Mackenzie Gierke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Iola's name to Holy Rosary Palliative and Hospice Services, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, 59301.
Services are pending at this time.