Dorothy H. Gaerke, 94, Coldwater, died March 2, 2012, at Briarwood Village, Coldwater.

She was born Oct. 10, 1917, in Coldwater, to August and Amelia Loshe Sanning. On June 15, 1940, she married Herbert Gaerke, who died Dec. 16, 1998.

Surviving are six children, Shirley Grunden, Van Wert, Ronald (Betty) Gaerke, Minster, Robert (Lois) Gaerke, Coldwater, Kenneth (Carolyn) Gaerke, Celina, James (Dolores) Gaerke, Newport, and Joan (John) Alexander, Cassella; seven sisters-in-law Alfreida Sanning, Coldwater, Lillian Homan, Coldwater, Dorothy Gaerke, Ft. Recovery, Mary Ann Homan, St. Anthony, Ginny (Bob) Tangeman, Maria Stein, Marcy (Dick) Topp, Centerville and Janet Gaerke, Fort Recovery; a brother-in-law, Charles (Betty) Gaerke, Ft. Recovery; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

Also deceased are one son-in-law, Ed Grunden; five brothers, Clarence Sanning, Julius Sanning, Albert Sanning, Leo Sanning and Herb Sanning; three sisters, Helen Kaiser, Alvera Wehrkamp and Bertha Sanning; 12 brothers-in-law, Art Wehrkamp, Paul Kaiser, Maurice Forthofer, Jerry Gaerke, Leonard Gaerke, Virgil Gaerke, Bernard Gaerke, Harold Gaerke, Henry Gaerke, Clete Homan, Wilbur Homan and Walter Franck; six sisters-in-law, Louise Sanning, Lorine Forthofer, Irene Gaerke, Marilyn Gaerke, Wilma Gaerke and Eileen Gaerke; and a great grandchild.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, and its St. Ann's Rosary Altar Sodality and the Coldwater Eagles Auxiliary. She was a farmer's wife and worked at the former Buckeye Overall plant, Coldwater.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.

Calling is 2-7 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.