July 23, 1945 ~ March 6, 2022
Gerald grew up on his parent’s farm in River Hills, MB. He attended Winnipeg Falls South School in River Hills until Grade 9, then attended Whitemouth Collegiate, where he met his sweetheart, Elaine Trindall, they were married July 15, 1967.
Gerald was the eldest of 9 children: 4 Brothers, Garry (Roberta), Victor, Ryan (Chris) and Kelly (Kallie), 4 sisters, Muriel, Cindy (Frank), Marilyn (Gord) and Audrey (Cam).
He was predeceased by his parents Otto & Hildegarde Merke, sister Muriel (infant), brother Victor and recently his brother-in-law Frank Behnke.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, 2 daughters, Penelope (Don) Baker, and Jennifer (Eddy) Volmering, as well as 6 grandchildren, Sydney, Grayson (Gould), Roland, Kyle, Jos, and Keryn (Volmering).
In 1964, Gerald began working at AECL, Pinawa, with Dominion Catering first as an assistant manager and later as manager. In between, he worked for the LGD of Pinawa and would run the projector for the LDB movie theater on weekends. In 1969, Gerald started a new business venture as a Texaco Bulk Agent first in River Hills, then in Pinawa. In 1976, Gerald began another business venture, fertilizer and chemicals with Cominco, an agricultural mining company.
Gerald and Elaine have done some travelling over the years. Their Honeymoon was spent travelling through the states to B.C. In 1972, they travelled with his maternal grandmother to Germany to visit her sister. They also have been to Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Paris and Toulouse, France, the Netherlands and Leipzig. Gerald has been to NASCAR races in San Diego and has seen the Hoover Dam.
In 2017, Gerald and Elaine were married 50 years, 49 of them in business together and raising a family.
Love of the land never took him far from farming, being his own boss was his passion. He loved children, going to auction sales, visiting friends and shopping for deals, whether it was machinery or groceries, if the price was right, he always came home with a smile on his face.
He will be sadly missed by everyone in the whole family, the many friends he made over the years and especially by his tail wagging sidekick, Diesel.
Celebration of Life will take place, March 26, 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, River Hills, MB. Masks are optional when attending the service.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Box 73, River Hills, MB R0E 1T0.
Offer Condolence for the family of Gerald Kenneth Merke
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Reg and Lorraine Wallace
Reg and I were so sorry to hear of Gerald’s passing. May your cherished memories comfort you Elaine and all the family.
Marlene Merke
My sincere sympathies Elaine, Penny, Jennifer and all the family. Gerald will be missed by so many. May he rest in peace.
Nadine Welz and family.
Condolence to Elaine and family for your loss of Gerald. And
Condolence to Cindy and family for your loss of Frank 3 days after Gerald passed.
My prayers go out to both families. May your memories console both families, their siblings, and their families.
Kerry Mickey
To Elaine & Family,
May our thoughts and prayers be with you all at this sad time in the loss of your loved one. Peace be with you all. Take care.
Dennis & Rosalie
Elaine, Penny & family, Jen & family, our sincere condolences on the passing of Gerald. and to Cindy and family on the passing of Frank. as well to the rest of Geralds brothers and sisters and families, our thoughts and prayers go out to you all…. Love Dennis & Rosalie
Marilyn Joyal
Our sincere condolences to Elaine, Penny, and Jennifer and their families. We hope you find the memories of your husband, Dad, and Grandpa a comfort at this difficult time.
Marilyn and Sheldon Joyal
Margit MacCharles
To Elaine and Family I extend my most sincere sympathy during this difficult time. My Mom worked for Gerald during his career at AECL Dominion Catering. She always told me what an excellent Supervisor he was and how she admired his work ethic. Please cherish and treasure your memories.
Margit MacCharles (nee Kunz)
The Pas, Mb/Arizona
Kaltenberger
Elaine, Penny, Jennifer, grandchildren & extended family. Our sincere condolence. Know you are upheld in compassion & caring. Sheila Klaprat & Brian Kaltenberger.
Les Rohrig
Dear Elaine and family
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Gerald
may you keep his memories in your heart forever…..
love, Les and Carey Rohrig
Darlene Vandenberghe
Condolences to Elaine and family. Heresy your memories.
Angie Garton
Elaine, Penny, Jen and families & siblings; sincere condolences on your loss. As well, condolences to Cindy and family on the passing of Frank. My heart goes out to you all.
Raymond
Condolences from Clarence & Family,
Randall Klaprat
Peace & Blessings to the Merke Family on the passing of Gerald and Frank. May your faith and memories carry you forward. Randall & Amanda Klaprat
Hardy
Elaine and Family Sorry for the sudden passing of my dear Friend Gerald Will miss him Thoughts and prayers are with you
Darlene Beeskau-Reimer
Condolences to you Elaine and family, and Gerald’s siblings and families on the loss of Gerald. May your good memories keep you during this difficult time.
Pastor Don and Darlene Reimer
Alvin and zenda
Our heartfelt condolences, praying for comfort, peace and love to all the family.
Sandy & Neill Barrie
Our prayers are with you Elaine and with the family as well at this time.
Elaine Cormier
My sincere condolences going out to you Elaine and the family.
George Scharer
Deepest Condolences To the Merke families on Gerald’s passing.
Jay Hawton
Our sincere condolences to Elaine and all Gerald’s family. Jay worked at AECL and farmed, so had a long relationship with Gerald. Peace and prayers to you during this difficult time. Jay and Bernice Hawton
Brenda Klymchuk
Elaine, Gary, Ryan, Cindy, Marilyn and Audrey, Kelly, Penny & Don, Jennifer & Eddy and families…….my dear cousins, how my heart is saddened with you! You have all been in my thoughts and in my prayers. May the assurance that our faith provides, and the memories made together bring comfort in the days ahead. xoxo
Arno & Betty
Our sincere condolences Elaine, Jennifer, Eddy & family!
Mickey
Elaine and family, we are sending our condolences to you, your in our thoughts and prayers, sorry for the sudden loss.
Mike Esther and Family.
Paul Gross
Condolences to all the Merke families. Please know you are in out thoughts and prayers. Gerald will be missed by many.
Paul Delia and family
Darryl Gross
Sorry to hear ur loss he will be missed greatly
Ed and Emma Elias
Our sincere condolences to Elaine
Art and Ardis (Merke) Berney
We’re so sorry to hear you lost Gerald and Frank so quickly. Our hearts go out to you and your family Elaine. We missed seeing you but I was very happy to see Gerald out here at our “cousins” get together at Diane’s home. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and had a nice visit. So glad we made that time together. We’re sending hugs and prayers for you and all the family. Love Art and Ardis.
Lois Opatril
Sincere condolences to Elaine , Penelope, Jennifer and to all of your family. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Joe Petaski
To Elaine and Family our sincere condolences on the passing of Gerald. Gerald was one of my customers when I worked for Cominco. I will always respect Gerald’s hard work ethic. Gerald loved his family and helped them whenever possible. I enjoyed visiting with Gerald after I retired.
Joe and Susan Petaski
Garry Geisheimer
Elaine and family Our sincere condolence are with you and your family on the Passing of Gerald . I remember Gerald as a hard worker. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I got fertilizer and also when I came to till your garden Elaine .
Garry and Louella Geisheimer
Philip Bialk
I remember Sophie, Hanna, and Molly’s Mom very well. Jocelyn and I had very nice conversations when I was a student at Grant Park High School. Harris’ mother was a very caring lady, Brent was a superior mentor, Aaron was a good helper, and Tanya and Harris’s children were always very happy students in elementary school. My sympathy, Philip Bialk