Sharon Ann (Saylor) Gerken

Sharon Ann (Saylor) Gerken, born August 7 1943 peacefully went to be with the Lord June 20th 2009. She fought a brave battle with cancer. It may have claimed her body, but could never claim her soul. She truly had victory over death. Sharon is survived by her husband The Rev. Dr. Don Gerken of 43 years, two daughters and their husbands Andrea and Michael Huntley of Lynnwood, Washington, Jill and Kurtis Albertson of Bothell, Washington, two sons and their wives Andrew and Claudia Gerken of Monroe, Washington, and Lt. Eric and Claudia Gerken of Richmond, Texas. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren Charlie, Hudson, Summer, Jennifer, and by one brother and his wife Rolland and Deloris Saylor of Idaho as well as several nieces and nephews.
Sharon grew up in a small Iowa town and was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Grace Saylor. After graduation from High School, Sharon moved to Sioux City Iowa to complete her degree in Nursing. She then moved to Iowa City, Iowa by the way of Arizona and met her husband Don at the University of Iowa Hospitals. After they were married she and her husband went into the ministry serving several churches in Iowa and Wisconsin. After a full time traveling evangelistic ministry, Sharon and Don moved to the Central American country of Nicaragua to begin a missionary ministry. Sharon as a nurse supervised the clinics that were established for the poor. She went to India to work with the leprosy foundation through Volunteers in Medical Missions. She also founded along with Don the Centers of Hope Mission International as a continuing ministry to the poor of Central America.
When Sharon returned to the states she served in many nursing positions finally becoming a Hospice nurse. She worked even during the time of her treatment for cancer. She served many people at the end of their life with good nursing as well as spiritual help. She accounted for all of her experiences in a book she authored entitled “Don’t look in the pot” a journey of faith. When her time came she ministered to her family and many friends almost to the end. Sharon died peacefully and left us all with a sign of hope and encouragement. She died at Evergreen in patient Hospice where at hey gave her wonderful care. On her behalf, we the family thank you for your compassion and care. She will be deeply missed. Especially we want to thank the Lord for His care at the end of her life.
Donations of remembrance can be made to the Center of Hope or to the Evergreen Hospice.