Jean Gerken Obituary

To: John, Dean, and the Harlacher Family:



I, too, share many fond memories of Jean; The wedding in Ironton, Dean's birth at old Cafritz Hospital, and of course, Moonshine Mountain. Also, the "Moon Roof" and Jean's gracious handling of how it was installed in their new van.



My daughter's, Claudia and Susan, still fondly refer to Dean as "Toddler Dean." Jean chose that title and later, as he grew older, "Little Dean." Sharing the same name, it was easier to get our attention when they wanted us or yelled at us. It worked!!



What a great group of friends and family Jean and John have had, and still have. I thank them both for sharing them with me also.



And as for "Weeds". Yes, I agree. there will be no "Weeds" in heaven. Jean will not allow them!!



Thanks for the memories kiddo,



Love,



Big Dean

Our friendship began in August of 1965 at 5660 Alice Avenue in Oxon Hill. John and Jean and Barbara and I were just starting our lives together as newlyweds. Living across the hall from each other, we found that we shared alot of the same interests: fishing, hunting, camping, family, friends, and good times. Throughout the years, we enjoyed a lot of these times together -- camping at Massanutten, Moonshine Mountain, Ocean City, boating and fishing (Jean was always such a patient fisherperson) and let's not forget partying!! And her craftwork was astounding. Our thoughts and memories of Jean and these good times will live on in our minds forever. We will miss you Jean.



Mike and Barb

This photo shows Jean with a small number out of her large number of close friends. This is the first time I had the honor and privilege of meeting Jean and John.

Jean was a very special friend giving us many years of precious memories. We had such fun relaxing at Moonshine Mountain. Jean loved visiting the little country stores searching for treasures. We had such fun on winery trips. Carol, Jean, and I sat in the back, driving Johnny crazy with our back seat driving. I never laughed so much in my life. What great memories of Ocean City walking the boardwalk, dancing, eating. I will ALWAYS remember Jean singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" to Johnny at Spinners karaoke. We shared a great love of the outdoors, boating, fishing (she put the fellas to shame!), critters, plants, antiques, country stuff, and old mills and covered bridges. She painted me tee shirts with her own designs of an old mill and covered bridge and made me adorable snowmen. She was thoughtful, remembering me with cards, flowers, visits for special events in my life. We'll miss her laugh and radiant smile. Dick and I are so grateful for our time with her. There was never a dull moment! She so loved her husband and son, family and friends and would do anything for any of us. Her heart was as big as all outdoors. She was a true friend. We loved her immensely and will miss her. Thank you, John and Dean, for sharing her with us all these years. We know she'll still be there with us on every outing!! Love, Sandy and Dick

JLG,



I will always remember that the two of you drove all the way to my brother's home in Hampstead, Maryland to be there for my 40th birthday party.



I think Jean spent more time with my mother and aunts out in the yard smoking than she did with us inside. This was the first time that you all met my family, but as usual, it was like you had known them forever.



The other memories I will always cherish are the times that we all got together at Lisa's home for parties. We had some great times and our friendship will last forever.



Take care and please keep in touch as you are forever a part of my life.

We have been friends with John and Jean since tha late 1960's. Our friendship grew in the 70's and 80's

on Moonshine Mt.,parties, craft shows, street festivals and hunting season. Jean was warm, friendly and so energetic. She was always at home in the outdoors.We will always remember how happy she was when she became a Mom. Working in her yard,home and on crafts were some of her loves, but her family and friends came first. She will forever be in our memories and in our hearts. With our love to John and Dean------------Buck and Anna

Jean was a very dear and happy lady and she always had a kind word or comment to say to everybody.But I will never forget the time that John, Jean and myself went fishing at my lease pond and she out-fished me. Not only did she outfish me,but she never let me live that down. It was one of the biggest fish ever caught on that pond.

Your Loving Brother,

Tom

Jean was a dear lady with a ready smile and laughter of an angel! She was a talented lady whose crafts grace our Christmas tree. Her memory will remain dear in our hearts. John and Jean were special friends that we met through the Waldorf Jaycees. We'll always be grateful we were able to spend some time with a special lady........... Alan & Gail

One vivid memory I have of Jean, in addition to her infectious laugh, is a cake she made for my 35th Anniversary Reception at work (4-25-1990). She brought in this flower pot full of dirt with what looked like worms sticking out of the dirt. I wondered "what the heck is that?" It turned out to be a delicious cake that she called her "Dirt Cake." She gave me her recipe and we have it along with an article (and picture) on she and her cake published in the "Maryland Independent" Newspaper.



She and her family have been on our church prayer list.

A very good friend and classmate who always stopped in for a visit when her and John came home. She will definitely be missed by John and Dean as well as all her classmates. John make sure you stop on your next trip to Ironton and you are always welcome at our home.



Turk

May God be with Jean's Family in this time of sorrow. Jean is in a better place now, free from pain and suffering.

John and Dean,



My memories go way back to around age 7. I would knock on the door of their home on 9th street wanting she or Helen to come out and play.

Then the days at IHS where we shared homeroom from 8th - 12th grades. I remember her talent in Home Economics Class where she would sew somthing without benefit of a pattern. I never did learn to sew so I was quite envious of her talent. My most favorite memory is the last one. The last class reunion where she whipped off that bra and wrapped it around John. That laugh and smile of hers filled the room. She also stayed up one night and made baskets for the class members who came to the last reunion. Some of them she maybe saw quite seldom and others she maintained regular contact. My basket traveled home to Florida and sat on my credenza in my office. Sometimes it held a plant other times business cards and even sat empty from time to time. I really treasure that little basket. She has just gone around the bend for now. God Bless to Jeanie and all her family.

Jean is fondly remembered from the Jaycees where we were all active members at one time, as well as at the FBI where John, Jean, and I (Lois) worked for so many years. She was a wonderful person who will be truly missed.

What fond memories I have of Jean and the first years in Washington. I

will never forget her and the sharing of our growing up years in Ironton plus our adventures in Washington.

I am thinking of her family in

this time of sorrow.

John and Dean,



I, too, remember our last class reunion and the joy Jean brought to the evening and her beautiful smile. I lived next door to the Harlacher family when I was a sophmore at IHS, after my mother passed away. I will continue to pray that your loved ones will surround you. I am sorry for the pain Jean suffered, she is in a better place. Love, Jan

I've known Jean for almost 23 years. We met at the FBI when she was the Assistant Supervisor in the Evidence Control Center and was one of my bosses. We all had to use our initials at work and I never forgot who JLG was. We all loved Jean dearly in the office.



Jean and Johnny came to my wedding, and Jean made me an ornament from the wedding napkin.



When we started a family, Jean made me an ornament from the baby shower napkins.



When I quit working to stay home with the girls, we would get together at least once a year for breakfast or dinner where my kids discovered the Chesapeake Seafood House in Waldorf.



One of my favorite memories of Jean at work was the time when Dean was home alone, I think he was about 12, and she talked him through heating up a can of Spaghettios over the phone so he would not burn down the house.



She loved crafting and making things and the outdoors so much. She really enjoyed her life. We will realy miss her.

We, too, did not know Jean that long. She was our neighbor for the past two years. But what we did know was a very sweet lady. We used to follow her progress in her yard, whether weeding, gardening or decorating her outbuildings. Our deepest sympathies go to John and her family.

I first met Jean in September of 1955 as an eighth grader at Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio. We

graduated in 1960. She and John were always at the reunions and what a joy they both were. I will always remember her smile. she had one on all the time. Everytime I think of her I will remember the game played at the last reunion and how she came up with a bra in a matter of seconds. My husband had seen me do this many times and said "that must be an Ironton thing." We still remember her laughter. Take care John and let us know how you are doing with the e-mails to Pidge. Please try to make this next reunion. We all feel as if you are one of us. Patti

I did not know Jean as long as most of you. I met Jean in the mountains at Don and Karen Byroad's Cabin in 1995. Jean and her husband John left a memory in me that is still there today. Not knowing me from anyone else they accepted me as I am with no questions asked. Over the last few years we have become very close. It is an honor and privaledge to have known Jean for the short time we had together. She bore a spot in my heart that will keep her there forever. I still have time to spend with her husband, John. I will miss her deeply but at least she will be with me through the friendship and love of John. Thank you Jean for being you and becoming my extrmely close FRIEND. I love and miss you very much but you will be in my heart every minute of every day. I will not say good-bye but will say, see you again in GOD's home "HEAVEN".

Your Proud FRIEND Gary Ganskow!

I have to agree with my mother about the memories from the cabin. That was so long ago, but I can clearly recall Jean's laughter. She was a sweet lady. My prayers are with you, John and Dean.

Love,

Tracy

Our memories span 35 years. Weekends at the cabin are forever etched in our minds. We'll always remember your generosity and love for everyone. " A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best."

Love,

Sally and Joe

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.