Robert D. Gerken

Robert Delano Gerken, a loving husband of over 60 years, and proud father to 3, grandfather to 4, and great-grandfather to 5, passed away on July 29, 2026--the eve of his 86th birthday--at Green Lea Senior Living, in Mabel. MN. He was born at the very home, on French Island, La Crosse, WI, on July 30, 1940, to Frank and Olga (Henthorn) Gerken, in which he would reside through high school. After graduating from Logan High School, in 1959, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country, and honed the skills of his trade, until honorably discharged in 1963.

While recovering from an appendectomy, at Lutheran Hospital, he met a caring Nursing Assistant, named Lynda. Oct. 23, 1964, he married Lynda (Ristow), at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in La Crosse, WI. As a proud union member (UA) of locals 598, WA State, and 434, La Crosse, WI, his career would lead him to several significant places, including the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Mayo Clinic, and G. Heileman Brewing Company.

Robert was strong, steadfast, and a loving family man, who made many sacrifices to take care of his wife and children. He was a quiet, strong, and stoic man, but you could literally see the twinkle in his eye when something was funny or he delivered a hilarious zinger. He was very handy around the house, readily completing household repairs and fixing his kids broken toys, bicycles, and cars. Robert also had many hobbies, including drawing, macrame, and woodworking. He found peace in gardening, and bringing out the beautiful, natural grains of wood. Robert was a faithful and devoted family man, and the greatest fan, and advocate, of his children. Forever will he be missed.

Robert and Lynda were avid Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Bucks fans. They also enjoyed watching the NCAA March Madness Tournament together.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lynda Marie; his parents; and brothers, Jack (Aletha) and Vaughn (Dorothy). Robert is survived by his daughters, Lana (Steven) Jones of Richland, WA and Susan (Aaron) Ross of Yakima, WA; son, Reid (Karen) Gerken, of La Crosse, WI; grandsons, Drew (Hannah) Jones of Spokane, WA; Pierce Jones of Richland, WA; Chase (Brooke) Gerken and Hunter Gerken, of La Crosse, WI; great grandchildren, Hudson, Silas, Samuel, and Berniece Jones of Spokane, WA, and Lyla Gerken of La Crosse, WI; sister, Lavina Tschida of IN; and brothers, Frank, Jr. (Alice), La Crosse, WI, and Russell, of Onalaska, WI.

Memorial service, with military honors, will be held on Thursday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m., at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, located at 200 West Ave S, La Crosse, WI, with Visitation starting at 12:00 p.m. Burial, for both Robert and Lynda, will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 3636 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse, WI.