Nancy Jean Gerken

Nancy Jean (Baker) Gerken, age 74, of Holgate, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as the result of an automobile accident.

Nancy was born on December 26, 1950, in Defiance, Ohio, to the late Robert and Gladys (Sanford) Baker. She was baptized at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church and grew up on the family farm just south of Holgate. As the oldest of eight children, Nancy embraced a life of responsibility, compassion, and deep-rooted faith from an early age, shaping the person she would become. A 1969 graduate of Holgate High School, Nancy met her high school sweetheart, Daniel Gerken, during those formative years. After one year at Ohio Northern University, where she studied physical education and was a cheerleader, she married Dan on August 29, 1970, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. They shared 54 wonderful years together, building a loving family and serving her community with unwavering devotion. Nancy continued her education at Northwest Technical College, beginning a long and cherished career working with children. For 39 years, she lovingly taught preschool at St. John Lutheran Church in Holgate, shaping the hearts and minds of generations. Her dedication to her faith was further exemplified through her active involvement at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flatrock Township, where she taught Sunday School for 37 years and was involved in the LWML and Ladies Aid. Additionally, she dedicated many years as a 4-H advisor for the Holgate Hustlers and drove a school bus for Holgate Local Schools for 34 years, connecting with countless students daily.

Nancy’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Daniel Gerken, and their four children: Benjamin (Kimberly) Gerken of Findlay, Ohio, Sarah (Robert) Wenzinger of New Bavaria, Ohio, Abraham (Marci) Gerken of Hilliard, Ohio, and Kathryn (Thomas) Schwab of Hamler, Ohio. She was a proud and loving grandmother to 17 grandchildren: Joseph, Lauren, Jacob, Lucas, and Megan Gerken; Matthias (Taylor) Wenzinger, Grace (Louis) Gustwiller and her first great-grandchild (due November 2025), Ruth (Parker) Strauss, and Jonah Wenzinger; Emma, Anna, Elizabeth, and Daniel Gerken; Christian, Sophia, Rose, and Henry Schwab. Nancy also embraced many others into her heart, children and families to whom she was a mother and grandmother in every way that mattered, extending her boundless love far and wide. She is also survived by her siblings: Luke (Kim) Baker, Beverly Junge, Samuel Baker, Timothy Baker, Philip (Rolande) Baker, and Amy (Bryan) Donaldson; and brother and sisters-in-law Bernard and Linda Erven, Judy Hess, and Alice Gerken. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Stephen Baker, brother-in-law James Junge, sister-in-law Nancy Baker; parents-in-law Lawrence and Alta Gerken, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Carole Gerken, and brothers-in-law Frank Hess and Lawrence Gerken Jr.

Friends and family will be received at the Zachrich Family Funeral Home of Holgate on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 PM and again from 6:00-8:00 PM. Visitation will also be held one hour before the service at the church. A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 13, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Holgate, with Rev. Jacob Stuenkel officiating. A private internment at St. Paul, Flatrock Twp., will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flatrock Twp., St. John Lutheran Preschool, or the Orphan Grain Train.