Shirley Ann Gerken
1942-2016
Shirley Ann Gerken, age 73, of Edmond, OK, passed away in her sleep May 16, 2016. She was born May 30, 1942, in Eufaula, OK. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, John Gerken; her children, Gerald Smalley and wife Kellie, George Smalley and his wife Audra, and Mary Henrichsen and her husband Brent; grandchildren Justice, Hayley, Bren, Tracy, Alyssa, Nathan, Grace and Brooks. She is preceded in death by her first husband, C.O. Jerry Smalley, and son Tracy Len Smalley.
After high school, Shirley attended Haskell University in Lawrence, KS for one year. Shirley was a CNA for over 20 years for the Nurse Finders Organization providing home health care, the past 10 years as a private duty nurse. She was a very generous person and lived her life to help others. She always had a strong desire to help people; family, friends, and strangers alike. Shirley loved her family and would do anything for them; anytime, anyplace, anywhere. She loved her grandchildren more than anything.
A very special thank you to St. Anthony Hospital and PARCway Post Acute Recovery Center for the outstanding care during her illness. Graveside services May 20, 2016, 2 pm Friday, Green Hill Cemetery, Muskogee (Matthews, Edmond).
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was such a wonderful friend to me and my mother (Joyce Melvin). They are together again laughing and enjoying life to its fullest. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.