Obituary of Gerry Dvorak

Helen Geraldine Stein Dvorak, a long time resident of Burlington, passed away at Grace Manor, Saturday, October 4th, 2014. Gerry was the second youngest of eight children, born July 6, 1923 in Spearville, KS. All of the eight children, Alma, Leona, Loretta, Florence, George (Bud), Norbert, Geraldine, and Louis were born at home. All are deceased. Her father, George Anthony Stein & mother, Johanna Emma (Kleysteuber) Stein, (dec.), were married October 19, 1904. Mr. & Mrs. Stein came by buggy from Illinois in 1906 to farm rented ground near Windthorst, KS. Later land was purchased in Spearville where they raised their family, working hard & very involved in the community and church. Gerry lived through the 1930's & often spoke of the many trials they faced. She attended a small Catholic school through high school in Spearville. She met, Carl Dvorak, at a dance, this was the beginning of a beautiful love story. Carl was inducted into the U. S. Army just 2 weeks after they became engaged to serve in WW II. Gerry was in nurses training in Halstead, KS when Carl had to report to active duty. They were married July 20th, 1942, where Carl was stationed in Victoria , TX. Carl James, who was born in Victoria, July 22, 1943, where they lived until Carl was sent to the Philippines. Shortly after, a second child, Diane Marie (Dee) was born in Dodge City, KS, August 6, 1945. After the war, Carl, Gerry, Jimmy & Diane (Dee) moved to Burlington, CO where they operated a dairy, farmed and ranched. A third child, Norbert Joseph, was born May 11, 1948. Gerry worked hard & diligently beside Carl, doing everything from raising chickens to repairing anything that needed fixing. She could build the finest tree houses, milk a cow or dress a chicken. She was one of the finest cooks, meticulous & professional in all her endeavors. Gerry was an accomplished seamstress, making most of the clothes for her 3 children, winning ribbons at the county fair in sewing, canning and cake decorating. Gerry loved growing a garden & flowers. She was involved in HDU, 4-H, the Catholic Church & Altar Society, school functions, activities & sports. If anyone needed a well designed & equipped kitchen, Gerry would step up to the plate & get the job done. Her children & grand kids knew she'd be their best friend, biggest fan, strongest supporter & best listener. She could build a haunted house that would scare the bravest of goblins. Her humor & candor kept every family gathering a classic. She had a way of saying things that reflected her era, innocent but ornery and cute-- and you could always find Chocolate in the candy bowl. Gerry & Carl lived a long, successful life surrounded by all of their children, sharing 71 years of marriage. Gerry lost her beloved Carl November 30, 2013, battled many health problems, which lead to her residing at Grace Manor in April of this year. It was a brave, hard road, but Gerry did her best. Survivors are her children Jim (Darlene), Dee (Tom) Schlosser, Norbert (Betsy) all of Burlington, CO. Grandchildren Todd (Audra) Schlosser, Burlington, CO, Diann (Cully) Holmes, Parker, CO, Paula (John) Wilson of Knoxville, TN, Kristin (Brett) Petersen, McKinney, TX, Jenifer (Sean) Martin, Watkins, CO, Cary (Heather) Schlosser, Burlington, CO, Rachel (Philip) Gleason, Draper, UT, Caroline (Cody) Pierpoint, Rock Springs, WY, Kimberly & Fiancé, Jason Pankoski, Kenai, AK, Molly (Devin) Leabo, Williamsburg, VA, Great Grandchildren Mackenzie and Heath Petersen, Cameron, Wesley and Sierra Holmes, Briar Schlosser, Chase Wilson, Claire and James Martin, Charlie Gleason, Colton Schlosser, and Carter Pierpoint, Lisi Newman and Kayla Pankoski are “special” gifts to the family. Two new grand babies, Jackson & Catherine will soon join the family. Preceded in death are Carl, her parents and siblings, and one granddaughter Alana Leigh Dvorak. Gerry was truly a lady, a devout Catholic, had a big generous heart and a smile for everyone. She was a patriotic soldier at heart, honorable and a role model for her family. She will be greatly missed by her family & friends. She will leave a huge hole, nothing will ever seem quite right again.