Gerken Debra

Debra F. Gerken, 55, of Napoleon, Ohio died peacefully on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at her residence after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born December 27, 1956 in Napoleon, Ohio to Henry & Lorna (Meyer) Fuhrhop. She was a 1975 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, and obtained her BS Degree from Defiance College. On August 1, 1987, she married Edward C. Gerken at Hope Lutheran Church, Hamler, Ohio.As a child Debby loved horses, and excelled at training and showing them, including representing Henry County 4-H at the state fair. She continued her involvement with 4-H assisting with her children’s various projects, as well as utilizing her artistic talents as she chaired their 4-H club’s fair booth committee for several years. Debby also loved sports, and was her children’s biggest fan, never missing football, volleyball, and basketball games, nor cross country or track meets.Through her children’s sports, she also became involved in the NHS Athletic Boosters, Football Mom’s & Pop's Co-Chair, as well as painting the football field for game nights.Debby also placed a high priority on academics as she strived for her children to succeed in the classroom even more than succeed on the field.She also wished this for other students as well, becoming a member of the NHS Academic Boosters Club and helping tutor students at St. Paul Lutheran School.Debby’s first and foremost priority, though, was always her faith and the Christian upbringing of her children through active membership of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School.She was a devoted mother and an inspiration to her family and the community.She is survived by her husband, Ed; mother, Lorna Fuhrhop of Malinta; children, Chelsea, Drew, and Derek; sisters, Diane (Jon) Gerken of Carroll, Ohio and Darla (John) Huddle of Napoleon, Ohio, and 5 special nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her father, Henry Fuhrhop.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 5, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 4 from noon until 6 p.m. at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Napoleon and Thursday July 5, from 10-11 a.m. at the church.The family suggests memorial contributions to be given to assist her children who are all enrolled at the University of Cincinnati or to a charity of the donor's choice.Online condolences may be made to www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

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Gerken Debra

July 1, 2012