Darlene Marie (Schmidt) Gerken

Darlene Marie Gerken, age 97 of New Florence, Missouri, passed away September 7, 2025 in Spring, Texas.

Darlene was born October 13, 1927 in McKittrick, Missouri, the daughter of the late Robert and Georgia (Benney) Schmidt.

Darlene married Orvy Gerken on October 12, 1947, at the Big Springs United Methodist Church, Big Springs, MO. 

Darlene worked as a stitcher at the International Shoe factory in Hermann and the Beacon Shoe Factory, in Jonesburg.

Darlene is survived by her son, Daryl Gerken, of Spring, Texas, a son-in-law, James Justice, of Wright City, Missouri;. two sisters, Doris Graue, of Montgomery City, Missouri; and Norma Jean Stiegman, of Big Spring, Missouri, two brothers, Robert Schmidt and wife Joyce, and Kenneth Schmidt and wife Barbara, both of New Florence, Missouri. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded by her parents, her husband, Orvy, by her daughter, Cheryl Justice, her daughter-in-law, Vickie Gerken, two sisters Mildred Lockhause, and Martha Graue, and three brothers, John, Marvin and Marion Schmidt and 1 great grandchild.

She was a member of the New Florence United Methodist Church and the New Florence Community Club.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the New Florence United Methodist Church, New Florence, Missouri, where services will follow at 12:00 p.m. 

Burial will be in the New Florence Cemetery, New Florence, Missouri.

The family requests memorials be given to the New Florence United Methodist Church or the Cemetery.