Janet Gerke

Destined to touch many lives in a number of ways, Janet Z. Gerke was born on October 25, 1945 in Brenham, the daughter of Sylvester & Milady Farek Zetik. She was baptized in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham on February 3, 1946 and was confirmed there on April 10, 1960. Janet remained a faithful member of St. Paul's for the rest of her life.

Janet and Clarence Gerke were married on August 13, 1966, by Pastor Thomas Swygert in St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Throughout her career as an educator, counselor, financial planner and community volunteer, Janet shared her talents and knowledge with many. As a member of St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was active in the Altar Guild, served as a Sunday School teacher, assisted with the Vacation Bible School and served on the Stewardship Committee.

Janet graduated from Brenham High School in 1963, earned an Associate of Arts degree at Blinn College in 1964, graduated from the University of Texas in 1966 with a double Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and English. She attended the University of Houston's Petroleum Institute in 1979 and earned a Master of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M in 1982. Active as a public school teacher for 16 years, Janet became a licensed professional counselor, working as a counselor in the Brenham Independent School District for 12 years. Janet was the Human Resource Development Director at Brenham State School and ultimately, was a financial planner for AIG/VALIC for 10 years, retiring in 2006. Janet was active with the Maifest Association and a founder of the Goodfellows of Washington County. She was an active member of the Louise Giddings Retired Teachers Association and current Treasurer of that organization. Janet's "lighter side" shone forth by way of her affiliation with the Somerville Chapter of the Red Hat Society, "Saucy Old Broads". She was a former member of the Fortnightly Club, Pilot Club and the Brenham Historical Society.

On Saturday evening, April 26, 2008, Janet suffered a brain aneurism. Her Savior mercifully called her away during the early afternoon of Monday, April 28, 2008. Numbed by her passing, her family includes her husband, Clarence Gerke of Brenham, Texas; their son and daughter-in-law, M. Chad & Sara Gerke of Missouri City, Texas; their daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Gerke Lyons & Eric Lyons of Cypress, Texas along with grandchildren, Ethan Thomas Lyons, Ava Katherine Lyons, Alexa Claire Gerke and Fallon Paige Gerke. Janet is further survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Donald & Ruthie Zetik of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary & August Pahmiyer of Brenham, a cousin, Deanna Felchak, as well as by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary Lou & Paul Kenjura of Brenham, Dorothy Moon of Brenham, Floyd & Annie Gerke of Austin and Janet & Paul Barnett of Brenham. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester & Milady Zetik; her father-in-law, Willie Gerke; her aunt, Irma Felchak and a nephew, Mark Kenjura.

The family will greet callers on Wednesday evening, April 30, 2008 in Memorial Oaks Chapel between the hours of 6 o'clock and 8 o'clock. The funeral will be held in St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon with Pastor Lawrence Bade officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Arndt, Robert Bormann, Roy Dannhaus, Rodney Foerster, Arthur "Mickey" Hueske, Gene Kelm, Kenneth Korthauer, B.J. Kramer, Julian Martin, Carl Schlottmann and Eugene Supak. All employees of Memorial Oaks Chapel, Strickland Funeral Homes and Foehner Funeral Home will be considered as honorary pallbearers by the family.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul's Christian Day School; Brenham, Texas.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Janet's extended family at Memorial Oaks Chapel, Inc.