Richard Junior Gerken, 94, of Lake City and formerly of Zumbro Falls, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Elysian Assisted Living in Lake City. He was born at home in Zumbro Falls on October 12, 1929, to Richard and Johanna (Klindworth) Gerken. He was baptized on October 26, 1929, at Trinity Lincoln Lutheran Church, his Godparents were Lorena (Klindworth) Atkinson and Jacob Schwartz. He attended rural school at Zumbro Falls. Richard was confirmed on March 29, 1942, by Rev. Dr. E. Scharlemann at Trinity Lincoln Lutheran Church. He worked on his parent's farm and attended high school and graduated from Lake City Lincoln High School on May 28, 1947.

Richard married Eleanor Betcher on December 16, 1949, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake City by Rev. T.H. Albrecht. They farmed on the home farm in rural Zumbro Falls for 25 years where they raised their four daughters. After they sold the farm, they built a home on an acreage in rural Zumbro Falls. Richard then worked at the Farmers Elevator for 15 years, and then worked at the Lake City Marina, retiring in 2002. He moved to Elysian Assisted Living in 2015. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church – Lincoln in rural Lake City.

Richard is survived by his four daughters, Joyce (Sid) Blanchard of Mound, Bonnie Ritter of Seattle, Nancy (Terry) Steffenhagen of Lake City, and Robin Prince of Monroeville, PA; ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his wife in 2015.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church – Lincoln in rural Lake City with Pastor Dan Reich officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.  Friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service at the church.