AGUILAR, Colo.— Gerald Eugene Rourke, 52, died August 30, 2012, at his mountain home.
He was born Oct. 28, 1959, in Hays, the son of John Gerald and Dorothy D. Nemechek Rourke.  He was a 1977 graduate of McCracken High School.  A longtime resident of Aguilar, Colo. he was a construction worker.
He was a kind, gentle person that was a friend to everyone, and he didn’t know a stranger.  His love of nature made his Greenhorn Mountain home a perfect place for him to enjoy his menagerie of animals.  He also enjoyed the natural wildlife that surrounded him.
He was of the Catholic faith.  
Survivors include two brothers, John Joseph and Maria Rourke, Allen, Texas and Kevin and Joan Rourke, Russell; three sisters, Kathleen and Don Kazmaier, Larned, Marie and George Penrod, Burns, Wyo.  and Louise and Brian Seltman, Nekoma; 11 nieces and nephews, 18 great- nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew Bradley Legleiter and a great-niece, Shelby Swaney Stutzke.  
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at St. Marys Catholic Church, McCracken with Father Warren Stoecklein officiating.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Heritage Society in care of Morell Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left at www.morellfuneralhomellc.com.

WFuneral arrangements provided by
Morell Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 124
Larned, KS 67550-0124.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 2, 2012