Helen Joan (Bredemeyer) Gerke, 89, passed away peacefully at her residence in Lutheran Life Villages, Fort Wayne, Sept. 13, 2021.

Helen was born Sept. 2, 1932. in Fort Wayne, the daughter of Ferdinand and Hermina (Kruger) Bredemeyer. She and graduated from Central High School in Fort Wayne and married Paul Gerke Sept. 5, 1953; he preceded her in death Oct. 23, 2014.

Surviving are her children, Vicki (Mark) Ober of Syracuse; Lori (Scott) Wilkins of Alexandria, Va.; Tracey (Mike) Noe of Syracuse; and David (Candace) Gerke of Middlebury; seven grandchildren: Nathaniel Ober, Megan (Cary) Watson, Ashley (Seth) Garrison, Whitney (Chris) Dixon, Andrea Gerke, Dirk Wilkins, and Nicholas (Paige) Noe; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Donna Manning of Fort Wayne; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.