Dwain Bernard Gerken, Sr., 83, of rural Lake City, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Gunderson St. Elizabeths Health Care in Wabasha, Minnesota.

Dwain was born July 16, 1942, in Red Wing, Minnesota to Bernard and Verna (Grote) Gerken. He grew up in rural Lake City area attending school and graduating in 1960 from Lincoln High School in Lake City. Dwain went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army from February 4, 1961, to August 14, 1962, when he was honorably discharged. On August 22, 1964, he married the love of his life Marilyn Kahn in Potsdam.

Dwain lived his entire lifetime in the Lake City area and farmed the same farm since 1966. He was an avid farm toy collector and started the Corn Shredding Autumn Harvest Festival in 1999, which became an annual event on his farm for several years.

Dwain is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Gerken of Lake City, their children, Lisa Donaldson of Rochester, Deanna (Rusty) Mathiasmeier and Tom Gerken both of Lake City, and Dewey (Debbie) Gerken, Jr. of Hammond; eight grandchildren, Melissa, Heather, Wren, Amanda, Kristin, Jordyn, Tom and Kayla; nine great-grandchildren, Brandi, Willow, Jonathan, Kopelynn, Tristian, Andrew, Michael, Javi, and Isaiah; and a brother, Robert (Leslie) Gerken of Bellechester. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bruce and Curtis, and daughter-in-law, Sandy.

The memorial service for Dwain will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church – Lincoln in rural Lake City with Pastor Dan Reich officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery – Lincoln in rural Lake City.