MOUNT HOREB - Ruth Bakken Gerke passed away at home after a long illness on February 6, 2026. She met her challenge with courage and grace.

Ruth was born the youngest child to Irvin and Esther (Nygaard) Bakken. She and her husband, Greg, were married for over 50 years. Ruth was a lifelong resident of Mount Horeb, except for a short stay in Janesville. She was a graduate of UW-Whitewater and was offered a position at the United Nations as an interpreter.

Before working for Cuna Mutual (TruStage), Ruth worked for the Department of Revenue. She received 100% on her state exam and was told only a handful of test takers had ever received that high of a test score. Ruth worked 38 years for Cuna Mutual (TruStage) in various departments, ending in the legal area. She was the manager for Licensing and Compliance for the field sales force. During those years, she gained many friends who kept in touch with her even after retirement and some until the end.

Ruth enjoyed gardening, reading and watching the birds at their feeders. She was an avid fan of the Badgers and Packers. Ruth really enjoyed visiting the casinos throughout the Midwest. She and Greg loved to travel and visited all the Nordic countries many times and along the way, visiting relatives. They also traveled to northern Africa, Spain, Portugal, and all of Europe and Russia, sometimes making two trips in the same summer.

During Ruth’s illness at home, she was always thrilled when family and friends would stop by for a visit. She loved all of their stories and was reminded about all the mischievous activities she and her neighborhood friends and nearby cousins would get into as young children. Ruth was excited when a cousin or nephew would return from their trip so they could compare stories with the experiences that she and Greg had in the same location years earlier.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Greg Gerke; brother, Roger (Betty) Bakken; sister, Sharon Saari; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Bakken; brothers-in-law, Steve (Jeanette) Gerke and Jonathan Gerke; step mother-in-law, Linda Gerke; step brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Randy Swiggum, Lisa (Tom) Mulderink, Lori (Bob) Koeritzer and Lynn (Chad) Hembel; and of course her beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends. Ruth said she loved having her sister visit nearly every day. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Esther; brother, Milton Bakken; father-in-law, Franklin Gerke and his first wife, Virginia; and brother-in-law, Melvin Saari.

Ruth wished to have no service or funeral, instead a pastor came to the house more than once to help her find peace and comfort. She said, “I will miss all of you terribly, especially my fur babies.” She loved her kitties.

The family would like to thank Senior Helpers for their excellent care seven days a week. The family would especially like to express their deepest appreciation to Agrace HospiceCare for their compassion and medical care during Ruth’s long battle.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

Ruth Annette Gerke

April 21, 1952 - February 06, 2026

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