Jerome “Jerry” Gerstenkorn, 89, died peacefully on April 24, 2024, 30 days before his 90th birthday with his wife, Maggie and family by his side. He was born May 24, 1934, in Odin, Kan., the son of Frank and Caroline (Kaiser) Gerstenkorn. On June 1st, 1954, he married his sweetheart, Maggie Wirtz, at St Joseph Catholic Church, in Ellinwood, Kan.
He was a lifetime resident of the Claflin/Great Bend area and graduated from Claflin High School and attended Kansas State University. He worked for Dowell Oil Company and later was owner and operator of City Ice Company in Great Bend, Kan.
Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He always enjoyed our July 4th family gatherings, arm wrestling with the grandkids, his smoke house full of turkey, ribs, chicken and brisket and his garden where he grew onions the size of his palm.
He is survived by his wife, Maggie, of nearly 70 years; five children, Don (Donna) Gerstenkorn, Augusta, Kan., Betty (Ron) Koester, Manhattan, Kan., Kathy (Bob) Schneider, Olmitz, Kan., Karen (Doug) Parrett, Tonganoxie, Kan., and Dennis (Stephanie) Gerstenkorn, Spokane, Wash.; 19 grandchildren; and 36 great grandchildren, with one to arrive in October. He was preceded in death by his son Brian; his parents; two sisters who died at birth, Linda and Kathleen; and great granddaughter, Mary Pittman.
The family would like to thank everyone who so graciously helped Maggie this last month. We very much appreciate your kindness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at St. Rose Of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu, Father Jacob Schneider (grandson) and Father Ted Stoecklein (nephew) presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kan. Visitation will be noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with a Vigil with Knights of Columbia Rosary at 7 p.m. Spiritual Bouquets and Memorials to Relevant Rosary Across America or School of Faith may be given, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 27, 2024
