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Ethel Maxine Gerke passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes May 8, 2024, at Summerfield Assisted Living in Orem, Utah.

Maxine was born in Durham, North Carolina on July 13, 1927, to Bertha Mullen and Raymond Carneal and was one of five children.

Maxine grew up in North Carolina and Virginia. When her parents separated, she spent several years being loved and nurtured by Ashton and Pearl Mullen (first cousin once removed) who raised her as their own daughter. After graduating from high school Maxine entered nurses training in Pocatello, Idaho. While in nurses training, she met her dear husband, Robert Gerke, while he was stationed in Pocatello as a Marine. They were married July 15, 1948, and lived in Idaho for several years while Robert completed pharmacy school. They lived much of their married lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and moved to Orem in 1979.

Since her childhood Maxine had a desire to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1954 while living in Indiana and was the catalyst that allowed her husband and children to accept the gospel. She and Robert were sealed together as a couple and with their three children for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple May 31, 1957. She served faithfully in many church callings and dedicated her life to serving her family, friends, and others with the pure love of Jesus Christ.

Her home was filled with love as she ministered to others through her homemade pies, bread, and Southern cooking. If there is a kitchen in heaven, she will be there dispensing love through her delicious creations. She had a gift for gab and enjoyed talking with friends and family. Her humor, unusual honesty, and wit allowed her to break down barriers with people. They knew they were visiting with a real and genuine person. She taught her children and grandchildren to love and appreciate the wonder of nature and was especially fond of identifying and watching birds. Her home was filled with articles, letters, and writings from her extensive family history research, and she found many ways to remember and honor those who had gone before. She was an example of love unfeigned as she served her husband, Robert, faithfully as his main caregiver for the last six years of his life. She often bore testimony of God's great plan of happiness and the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved Him and desired to follow His covenant path. Her longevity is a testament that she loved and savored life to the fullest.

Maxine was preceded in her death by her husband, Robert William Gerke, her daughter Cheryl Diane Hover (Thomas), and her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her two sons Randall Gerke (Kay) of Montrose, CO, and Kim Gerke (Kathleen) of Orem, UT; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sharon Fourth Ward Chapel, 445 South 700 East, Orem. Friends and family are invited to a viewing Friday, May 17, 2024, from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North Orem, and Saturday from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at the Orem City Cemetery, Orem, Utah.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the wonderful workers at Summerfield Assisted Living, Canyon Hospice, and many neighbors and friends who have offered so many long hours of support and care.