Joan D. (Holmes) Gerke

Joan D. (Holmes) Gerke, 83, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ at her daughter’s home in Chelsea, WI at 2:30 PM on April 30, 2023, under the wonderful, loving, tender care of Hope Hospice.

A memorial service will take place at 11:30 AM on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at The Baliwick in Medford. Visitation will take place at the Baliwick on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:30 AM. A private burial will take place at Perkinstown Community Cemetery at a later date.

Joan was born on September 11, 1939 to Clyde and Bernice Holmes in Perkinstown. Joan married Steve Kalmon on June 6, 1959. They divorced in June 1980. They had 8 children. Joan married Glen Gerke on August 18, 1982. He preceded her in death in August 2015.

Joan’s greatest day was accepting Jesus Christ as her personal savior 30+ years ago. The second was bringing 8 children into this world and loving and raising them to her last breath. Joan worked for Tombstone Pizza for many years. Joan worked for a time at Tomahawk Nursing Home, while her mother-in-law resided there.

Joan enjoyed gardening and canning her bounty. All of her children inherited her love of cooking. She loved feeding and watching birds and all kinds of wild life. Joan was a one shot mama with a rifle.

Joan is survived by her children, Steve (Deana) Kalmon of Marshfield, Charles Kalmon of Bruce, Melanie (Mark) Olson of Chelsea, Clayton Kalmon of St. Paul, MN, Jackie Kalmon of Jacksonville, FL, John (Trudy Brooks) Kalmon of Jump River, Calvin (Kristine) Kalmon of Perkinstown, and Marilyn Frank of Medford, step-daughter Teri (Ray) Pender of Kettle River, MN; 22 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great-grandchildren. Joan in further survived by her siblings, Shirley Poyda, Gary Holmes, Clyde Holmes Jr., sister-in-law, Arlene Zimpel-Bablick, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Glen, siblings, Harvey Holmes, Kenny Holmes, and infant brother, William Holmes, nephew Tom Holmes, and mother and father-in-law George and Clara Gerke.

Should God lay it on your heart, all memorials can be made to Hope Hospice, 537 W Broadway Ave. Medford, WI 54451

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

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