Mary Cathleen Gengerke, age 75, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Milford. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Inurnment will take place in the church’s columbarium. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online Condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Mary was born on June 7, 1950, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Vincent and Martha (Paulsen) Hall. She graduated from Gehlen Catholic School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from South Dakota State University. On July 31, 1971, Mary was united in marriage to Thomas Gengerke in Le Mars.
Mary held various positions throughout her professional nursing career, including roles as a charge nurse, clinical instructor, and public health nurse. Tom and Mary’s careers took them to South Dakota, Kansas, New York, and Iowa. With a passion for education, she later earned her master’s degree in education from Iowa State University. Mary went on to teach clinical nursing at Iowa Lakes Community College and the University of Iowa, where she made a lasting impact on countless students through her dedication, knowledge, and mentorship.
She was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church in Milford and an active member of P.E.O. In her free time, Mary enjoyed quilting, playing Mah-jongg and Bridge, fishing, and golfing. Above all else, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Tom Gengerke, of Spirit Lake; sons, Todd (Jeanne) Gengerke of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Jason (April) Jackson of Eureka, California; grandchildren, Charlie, Nora, Lorelei, Miles, Walter Dee, Gus, and Oscar; brother Michael (Pat) Hall of Bradenton, Florida; and sister-in-law Lorraine Hall, of Camarillo, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Don (Laura) Hall and Joseph Hall; and her sister, Margie (Jim) Moir.
