Emma M. Gerken

Emma M. Gerken, age 98, of Miramar Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 12, 2018.  Emma was born on December 20, 1919 to parents, Henry and Mary Dietrich.  She was born at the family homestead in Schumm, OH and was baptized, confirmed and married at Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm.  Emma was an involved member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Convoy, OH, from 1951 to 1981, before making moves to Illinois, Georgia and finally Florida, to be near her daughters.  She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Shalimar, FL, at the time of her death.

Emma is predeceased by her son John Henry Gerken, and brothers, Carl (Ella) Dietrich, Edgar (Lillian) Dietrich, Adolph (Ann) Dietrich and Henry Dietrich. She is survived by her daughters, Ruth (Larry) Hill, Miramar Beach, FL and Martha (Don) Haggerty of Niceville, FL.  She was grandmother to Joseph (Alexis) Haggerty, Amanda Hill (Tim) Korey, Megan Haggerty (Steve) Meissner and Laura Hill, and six great grandchildren.  Her sister-in-law, Phyllis Dietrich, also survives. She was godmother to five of her nieces, Marlene Purdy, Judy Harkless, Mary Parks, Sharon Dietrich, and Rose Cushman (deceased).  She had much love for her many nieces and nephews.  Emma will be remembered for being a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. 

A celebration of life service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, OH, on October 27, 2018,

at 10:30 a.m.  The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.  Internment will take place at the church cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 1 Meigs Drive, Shalimar, FL 32579 or Emerald Coast Hospice at www.GentivaHospiceFoundation.org.  Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.mclaughlintwincities.com.

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