Luella S. Gerke, 97 years old of Ballwin, Missouri, passed away at 7:22 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2013 in the Meramec Bluffs Care Center located in Ballwin, Missouri. Luella was born on Monday, September 27, 1915 in Monroeville, Indiana the daughter of the late Fred H. Grotrian and the late Louise (Knipstein) Grotrian. She married the late Herbert H. Gerke on June 27, 1942 in Monroeville, Indiana and he passed away on June 16, 1975. Luella had been a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, La Porte, Indiana; Women's Guild of the church; the Lutheran Brail Association; Meals on Wheels volunteer; and past secretary of Aid Association for Lutherans. Luella also was a former member of the St. John Lutheran Church-Flatrock in Monroeville, Indiana. Luella was also a member of the Valparaiso University Guild. Luella retired in 1982 from the J. C. Penney Corporation as a credit manager after 25 years of service. Surviving are her daughter, Kathleen L. (Will) Lubs of Fishers, IN; son, Kenneth F. (Karla) Gerke of St. Peters, MO; 7 grandchildren: Jeffrey (Chris) Lubs; David (Jessi) Lubs; Matthew (Cindy) Lubs; Stephen Lubs; Samantha (Matt) Sotheran; Alyssa Gerke; Alec Gerke; and 6 great-grandchildren: William Lubs; Jacob Lubs; Lukas Lubs; Elise Lubs; Peyton Lubs; and Grady Lubs. Preceding Luella in death were 6 brothers: Frederick Grotrian, Herman Grotrian, Theodore Grotrian, Albert Grotrian, Otto Grotrian, and Edwin Grotrian; 3 sisters, Frieda Augenstein, Gertrude Schlemmer, and Edna Bohnke. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17, 2013 in the St. John Lutheran Church-Flatrock, rural Monroeville, Indiana with Rev. Jerry Nichols officiating. Friends and family will be received from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17, 2013 in the St. John Lutheran Church-Flatrock, rural Monroeville, Indiana. Interment will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery-Flatrock in Monroeville, Indiana. Preferred memorials are to Trinity Lutheran Church, La Porte, Indiana; Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research 199 Water Street-23rd Floor, New York, NY 10038; or The Lutheran Hour.
