Pearl Gerlach
February 2, 1932 ~ August 19, 2011
Pearl Gerlach, 79, of Miller, passed away Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2011 followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake and rosary service, all at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller.
Casketbearers will be Joe Fanning, Nick Fanning, Christina Fanning, Steve Henning, Matt Henning and Lyndsey Henning. Honorary casketbearers were great-grandchildren, family, and friends.
Pearl was born February 2, 1932 to Frank and Helen (Jungwirth) Pfeifer on a farm north of Miller and graduated from Orient High School. She married Lloyd Gerlach on November 5, 1956 in Orient and moved to Miller where she worked and raised two children, Debbie and Vicky. Over the years she worked for the grain elevator in Miranda, Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, Dr. Wilkinson Office, and the Prairie Good Samaritan Center.
She was a member of the Altar Society and St. Ursula’s Band and was active in the Catholic Church in Miller. She enjoyed working with the residents of the Prairie Good Samaritan Center, gardening, embroidering, baking, collecting angels, and spending time with her family and friends.
Pearl was cherished by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the time she spent playing games, cooking special treats, and telling stories of years gone by.
She is survived by her daughters, Debbie (Steve) Henning of Huron and Vicky (Joe) Fanning of Miller; grandchildren: Matt (fiancé Alaina) Henning of Aberdeen, Lyndsey Henning of Omaha, Nebraska, Nick (Shannon) Fanning of Tea, and Christina Fanning of Brookings; brothers: Joe Pfeifer of Orient, Ed (Shirley) Pfeifer of Miller and Kenny (Sandy) Pfeifer of Aurora, Nebraska; sisters: Esther Verbeck of Plymouth, Wisconsin, Rosie Hansen of Redfield, Dorothy Downing of Redfield, Mary Ann (Roger) Bent of Faulkton, Bobbi Rosemore of Miller, and Lucille (Les) Staufer of Orient.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lloyd; and brother, Vince.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Pearl’s arrangements.
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Dear Debbie, Vicky and families,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. She was one special lady and I’ll never forget her. I remember the days when your parents and my parents were dance friends. I recall a few times when they would get together after the dances for bacon and eggs at each others houses. Those were happy times for our parents! And I’m sure that your parents are once again happy together in heaven. And I’m sure that Dad is right there with them. Remember all the good times growing up with your Mom and Dad and know that Pearl is finally without pain. May God Bless.
Losing a family member is never easy but when it’s a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother it’s even harder. There’s always so many stories yet to be heard or to be heard again. So much left to be said. So much we wish we would have done. Pearl was always kind to our family and we will miss her spirit. She is in a better place and our sympathies are with you all. In you, her family, she will live on.
Brad and Patty (Pfeifer) Holm
Sending deepest sympathy to Pearl’s family & all of her Pfeifer brothers & sisters.
God Bless
Marcelline Hunnel
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was a good friend of Lois Ravenscroft.
Cherish all the memories you have together they’ll help carry you through the hard times ahead.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this most difficult time. Todd,Wendy & Ryan Ravenscroft
Vicki and Family,
Our sympathy to you and your family, but know with Pearl’s rosary in her hand all the time that Mary was there to greet her.
Our prayers are with you all.
Deb, Steve, Lyndsey and Matt. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother and grandmother. She was such a special lady. You all will be in our hearts and prayers. She will be looking down on all of you and when ever there is a soft breeze blowing on your cheeks you will remember her and know that she is giving you kisses from heaven.
So sorry for your loss!!! she was a wonderful lady!! she will be greatly missed!!! thinking of you all!!!
Love
Dawn (Molyneux) Bradshaw
Thinking of of you all!!!
She will be greatly missed!!
Love you all!!
Dawn Molyneux
We are so very sorry for your loss Vicki, Pearl was a wonderful lady and she will be missed a lot!! All of our chats, laughs, giggles, Halloween tricks and treats and fun times are a wonderful memory. We will miss her very much. I pray that you will also take time to remember all the fantastic times you shared together. Her family meant the world to her. Take care.
So sorry to hear about Pearl. She had been on my mind lately, so was a little shocked. She was one special lady.
We are not going to be able to attend the services, but know you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim ans Marietta Wieseler
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and grandmother. Will always cherish the many memories of your Mother & Dad when we lived at Orient. God Grant you comfort and strength in your time of need. You have another Special Angel in Heaven.
Love & Prayers,
Lorne & Pat Ruzicka