Marian M. Gerken

Marian Martha (Meyer) Gerken, 91, was received into Heaven with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 2, 2025.

Born March 1, 1934, in Napoleon, Ohio, she was the daughter of Leo and Minnie (VonDeylon) Meyer. She attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Napoleon High School. She enjoyed playing the trombone and tennis, and delivered newspapers. After high school, she took a position with the City of Napoleon as a clerk, working with Cecil Mengerink, the city engineer.

Marian married Fred R. Gerken Jr., a life-long classmate, on Aug. 21, 1955, at St. Paul's. She and Fred moved to Kentucky for a brief time while Fred completed his Army enlistment at Fort Knox. They shared a house there with Darryl and Jennette Goebel, and became life-long friends and card club members thereafter. Marian and Fred were blessed with six sons, Steven (Kate) recently relocated to Napoleon; Mark now in Savage, Minnesota; David (Cindy) now in Bowling Green; Andrew (Terri) now in St. Joe, Michigan; James (JoLynn) of Napoleon; and Thomas (Ann) now in Bowling Green. She is grandmother to Emily (Chris) and Elizabeth, David and Cindy's children; Nathan (Roxanne) and Benjamin (Sarah), Andrew and Terri's children; Joshua and Grace (Joseph), James and JoLynn's children; and Harold and Drake, Thomas and Ann's children. She is also great-grandmother to Theo, Eleanor, and Titus, Emily and Chris' children.

She re-entered the work force after raising her children, working at several retail businesses, like the Charles Co., and then later for the Fulton County Welfare office in Wauseon, and taking community college classes to support her position as a caseworker. She retired from that office after more than 15 years of service. She also spent many years doing the bookkeeping for Fred H. Gerken Co. At home, she loved to cook and bake (chocolate chip cookies and coffee cake were in high demand), and was adamant that her sons learn at least the basics of cooking. She also enjoyed sewing and embroidering bed quilts for her sons and grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and served on Altar Guild as time and energy allowed.

Marian was preceded in death by Fred, her husband of 69 years; her parents; triplet siblings Leo, Fredrick, and Margaret (deceased shortly after birth); her brothers, Rev. Robert, Norman and her twin brother, Maurice.

She is survived by her family and by her sister, Lois, Columbus, Ohio. Mom will be remembered for her love and kindness, her concern for all of her family and for her strong faith in the Lord. We grieve her loss, but are assured in hope of the resurrection and life eternal.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Walker-Hoening Mortuary, 333 W. Main St., Napoleon, Ohio. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 a St. Paul Lutheran Church with gathering from 10-11 a.m. in the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery in Napoleon.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or School.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.