Thomas S. Gerkin

Thomas S. Gerkin, 77, of Dakota Dunes passed away Thursday, April 29, 2010, at his residence surrounded by family.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Roger Madden officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30, in Skibtvedt Cemetery, Battle Lake, Minn. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer and Masonic service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Tom was born May 30, 1932, in Seattle, Wash., the son of Virgil and Vera (Hatfield) Gerkin. He graduated from East High School in Sioux City. He attended Iowa State University for two years before entering the U.S. Army, where he spent two years in Germany. Upon his discharge, he entered Morningside College, where he graduated in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in economics.

He married Laura Lee Treptow on July 10, 1957, in Kingsley, Iowa. He began his professional career at the Gerkin Co., founded by his father in 1932. Tom, along with his brother Jim, ran the company with Tom handling the production operations. He remained there until his retirement in January 1989.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sioux City and served in the board in numerous capacities including past chairman of the administrative board. His past activities include Scoutmaster, finance chairman of the local Boy Scouts of America, board of directors of the Sioux City Boys Club, Red Cross board, 1975 Commodore of River-Cade, past chairman of the Morningside College board of directors, where he received the Distinguished Alumni award in 1987. Other past boards include the Y.M.C.A., Better Business Bureau, United Way, Rotary and Goodwill Industries. He served as chairman of the Capitol Campaign for the Nature Center in 1994.

He was a member of the Morningside Masonic Lodge 615 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite, York Rite, Royal Order of Jesters and Abu Bekr Shrine. He served in the board of the Shrine Crippled Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. He was past president of the Shrine Chanter's Unit and past president of the Midwest Chanter Association. He was a member and rider with the White Horse Mounted Patrol Unit. He served as Potentate of Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in 1986.

Tom was an avid jogger and ran a marathon in 1980. He enjoyed tennis, fishing, sailing, wind surfing, scuba diving and traveling in his motor home. He wintered in Naples, Fla., where he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. His summers were spent at his lake home at Blanche Lake, Minn.

Survivors include his wife, Laura of Dakota Dunes; a son, Scott (wife, Shelly) of Sioux City; son, Craig (wife, Kim) of Burnsville, Minn.; four grandchildren, Shane, Steffanie, Chad and Adam; a brother, Jim (wife, Marjorie) Gerkin of Hot Springs, Ark.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church in Sioux City, Maine Presbyterian Church in Minnesota, or the Memorial Fund at Crystal Lake RV Resort in Florida.