Evelyn Marie Gerkensmeyer

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend died unexpectedly February 3, 2011 in Spokane, WA. She was born October 8, 1936 in Cottonwood, Idaho to Tony and Josephine Duclos. She spent her childhood on the family's dairy farm in Cottonwood. She graduated in 1954 from St. Gertrude's Academy in Cottonwood. During and after graduation from high school, she worked as an assistant at St. Mary's Hospital. She married Ronald Gerkensmeyer of Spokane in January 1957. She spent her remaining years as a homemaker, devoted wife and mother and made her home in Spokane. She volunteered at her children's schools, including being a room mother and PTA member at Madison Elementary. In her later years, she volunteered at Bemis Elementary School and continued her hobby of baking the best cookies and pies ever. She was preceded in death by her husband Ron, her parents, twin sister Eleanor Uhlenkott and brother Lawrence Duclos. She is survived by brother Robert Duclos and sisters Bernice Pfiffner and Barbara Wimer and children Rhonda Nelsen, Gary Gerkensmeyer and Michael Gerkensmeyer, 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish for 54 years. An active member of the parish, she enjoyed donating her time and energy to both the parish and Diocese of Spokane. She was active in the Immaculate Heart Guild, where she acted as treasurer. A funeral mass will be said Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4420 N. Jefferson St. in Spokane. Internment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Francis of Assisi parish.