Katherine Elizabeth Gerke

Katherine Elizabeth Gerke age 83 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Friday, October 2, 2026 at Meadow View Health & Rehabilitation, Harrisonville, Missouri surrounded by love and family.

Kaye was born September 9, 1943 in Kansas City Missouri to Bessie and Harley Freeman.

Kaye graduated from Ruskin High School in 1961. After working for AT&T and attending cosmetology school, Kaye met and married her best friend, Joseph Gerke on June 26, 1965. Together, Joseph and Kaye raised four children Barbara, Duane, Elizabeth, and Cindy in Harrisonville Missouri.

Kaye and Joseph joined the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in 1976 where Kaye would serve in the Women’s Auxiliary.

Kaye retired in 2003 from Marion Laboratories as a chemist working specifically on the development of the drug Cardizem used today to treat high blood pressure. Kaye also worked as an EMT with Harrisonville Emergency Services and was a volunteer firefighter on the Harrisonville Fire Department.

Kaye’s true legacy is her dedication to her children and grandchildren. She was known to drop off and pick up her grandchildren from school which ended in funny memories that her grandchildren still laugh and talk about today especially when she removed all the seats from the back of her van.

Kaye’s favorite advice to give her family and friends is that life is an adventure, as well as, keep a sense of humor. Kaye had an infectious smile and laugh that will truly be missed.

Along with her parents, Kaye joins her beloved husband Joseph, daughter Barbara Newton, and brother Robert Freeman in paradise.

Kaye is survived by her son Duane Gerke, daughter Elizabeth (Ryan) Stolte, daughter Cynthia (Steve) Spencer, her grandchildren Katy (Peter) Neufeld, Caleb Gerke, Savannah (Jared) Coltrin, Benjamin (Emma) Gerke, Cassidy (Dominic) Spencer, Chloe (Alec) Baker, and Reece Stolte. Kaye is survived by her great grandchildren Rhett, Lucas, Cameron, Weston, Vivian, Eleanor, Lorelai, and Adelynn. Kaye is also survived by her late husband’s brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews that she enjoyed many celebrations with.

May we never forget her love of life, laughter and genuine kindness for all that knew and loved her. 

Rosary will be held 5:30 p.m. with visitation to follow from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harrisonville School Lunch Program and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.