Jennie Gerlach

JENNIE GERLACH Jennie Gerlach passed away peacefully at her home in Cumberland, Iowa, on April 28, 2009 at the age of 102. She was surrounded by her loving family as a minstrel sang beautiful hymns to her as she passed from this life to eternity.  Jennie Gerlach was born on November 18, 1906, to George W. and Emma Lohse Gerlach in Cumberland, Iowa. Other children born into the Gerlach family were Esther (Harley) Miller, Mary (Dallas) McDermott, Effie (George) Bacon, Wilbur "Hons" Gerlach and William "Jack" Gerlach. She attended elementary and high school in Cumberland, Iowa, and was named Valedictorian of her class ofÂ1924. Jennie enrolled in Simpson College in Indianola, IowaÂto pursue herÂteaching degree. After 2 years at Simpson she continued her studies at CCC College and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Jennie taught in the Cumberland school system, moved to Hayfield, Iowa where she taught high school for a few years, then returned to Cumberland to teach there. Cumberland merged with the Massena school where she was the high school business teacher. After 41 years of teaching, to her credit, she retired in 1971 and continued anotherÂfive yearsÂas a substitute teacher. Things she enjoyed doing were taking family fishing trips to Minnesota with her brother Hons and Jack and his family. She loved sporting events and many years you would find her and Hons supporting the C&M teams whether football or basketball, you'd find them on the sidelines supporting the kids. Later in life the love of sports kept its thrill for her as you'd find her watching Tiger Woods golfing orÂBrett Meyer of ISU quarterbacking his team. Sports of all kinds were a passion for her.ÂÂShe loved playing cards, gardening, and getting together with family and friends. Jennie would tell you that the most important event in her life happened when she was a young woman and she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as her Lord and Savior. She attended church and taught women's Bible study at the Gospel Chapel in Lyman, Iowa. JennieÂwas devoted to the Lord and had a great faith in Him to help her throughout her life. She is survived by niece Evelyn (Bill) Bautsch of LaCrosse, WI, nephews Jerry Gerlach Ewalt of Clearfield, IA, Jay Gerlach Ewalt of Liberal, KS, and nieces Dawnelle (Clint) Humbert of Cumberland, IA and Kathleen (Brad) Foster of Massena, IA. Other great nieces and nephews and their children are: Mary Thompson and children Matt and BJ Thompson; Franki (Bill) Staton and children Cody and Jared Staton; Chris (Michelle) Gerlach Ewalt, Jamye (Gordon) Applebee and children Andrew and Austin Applebee; Jeremy (Margee) Bailiff and children Justin, McKenna, and Jackson Bailiff, Morgan Humbert, Erin (Humbert) Jensen, and Andrea Humbert; Kristen (Dusty) Hayes, Tess Brawe, Craig Foster, Matthew Foster, Heather Foster and Taylor Foster, Larry Beaman and children Kyle and Korey Beaman. She will also be missed by her special caregiver Dorothy Hartsock. Preceding her in death were her parents, her three sisters, her two brothers, a sister-in-law, Betty Gerlach, and three brothers-in-law, Harley Miller, Dallas McDermott, and George Bacon, two nieces, Mary Jane (Kenneth) Beaman and Patricia McDermott.Funeral InformationThere will be open visitation from 8:00 to 5:00 daily until the family meets with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1 at Roland Funeral Home. C.G. Lindeman will officiate. Committal service will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Cumberland, IA. The family extends an invitation to join them for a luncheon at the Cumberland Community Building following graveside services. Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Jennie's family and arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralserivce.com. IN REMEMBRANCE JENNIE FLORENCE GERLACHBorn November 18, 1906Cumberland, IowaENTERED INTO RESTApril 28, 2009At her home in Cumberland, IowaAt the age of 102 years, 5 months and 10 daysFUNERAL SERVICEMay 1, 200910:30 in the MorningRoland Funeral Home Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGC.G. Lindeman Griswold, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONS"Amazing Grace&""How Great Thou Art&""If You Could See Me Now&"SINGERBill GerlockKEYBOARDCarolyn GrovesCASKET BEARERSCody Staton Jerry Ewalt Jeremy Bailiff Jay Ewalt Larry Beaman Jared StatonFLOWER COMMITTEECheryl and Tom TrueJeanette and David ParkerINTERMENTAt Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland, IowaLUNCHEONRelatives and friends are invited to a luncheon and fellowship.at the Cumberland Community Building in Cumberland following the interment.For area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions