Janet Mary Gerken (Rieger)

Janet Mary Gerken, 83 of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO. She was born January 30, 1938 in Oradell, NJ to Herbert and Ethyl (Gorman) Rieger. She is survived by her husband Eric Gerken married in 1959; 4 children; Valerie Stutz, MO (Bill), Sandra Wells, NJ (Kerry), Stacie Evans, MO, James Gerken, MO. (Alison), brother Thomas Rieger Ill (Karen), brother William Rieger AZ (Joan); 15 grandchildren; Trevor-Stutz NY (Erin), Logan Stutz MA (Rachel), Garrett-Stutz Japan, Madison-Stutz Sutherlund MO (Shaquille), Michael-Wells NJ, Daria-Wells-Vala NJ (Paul), Matthew-Wells TX. (Nicole) Army, Jessica Swope Towles MO (Taylor), Sarah Swope Cummings MO (Caleb), Eric Gerken FL. Navy, Nicholas Gerken MO, Britney-Gerken Meyers MO, (Caleb), Cortney-Gerken MO), Connor-Gerken MO, Casidae-Gerken Ward MO (Garrett) and 14 great grandchildren; Jonah Theodore Stutz, Caleb Joseph Stutz, Zeva-Elizabeth Stutz, Eleanor Rose Stutz, Katherine Janet Stutz, Vanessa Jade Sutherland, Jackson Paul Vala, Logan Kerry Vala, Josiah Robert Wells, Thomas Matthew Wells, Robert Clay Towles, Charlee Rose Cummings, Cameron Philip Meyers and Emmett Liam Meyers, as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and countless friends. Preceded in death by Parents, Herbert and Ethyl Rieger, NJ, brother, Kevin Rieger, NY and son, Philip Todd Gerken. Janet was a member of St. Mark's RCC Independence MO and a hospital Communion Minister, and also belonged to Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs MO. She was a member of the Lakewood subdivision Garden Club and was Chairman of the Scholarship committee. She also served in various other charitable activities, at soup kitchens and meal deliveries. Janet lived in Lakewood since 1984, a subdivision in Lee's Summit MO, and loved the ocean beach at her summer residence in Manahawkin NJ. The family will greet friends from 10:00am to 11:00am Thursday May 6th at St. Mark's Catholic Church 3736 Lee's Summit Road, Independence MO 64055 followed by a Mass at 11:00 am. Cremation will follow and internment later in New Jersey. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)