Family to receive friends: Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Funeral service: Friday, April 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City.
Graveside service: Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Bloomfield, MT.
Terry LaVern Gierke, age 51, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at his home in Miles City.
Terry LaVern Gierke was born on May, 3rd 1957 to Robert W. (Bud) Gierke and Marjorie Ann (Bruner) Gierke in Anaconda, MT. Shortly after Terry was born, the family relocated to Polson, MT. In 1964 the Gierke family left Polson and settled in Miles City, MT where Terry spent almost his whole life. Terry eventually graduated from Chinook High School in 1976.
After high school Terry began working in the oil and natural resource exploration industry as a seismographer for Grant Geophysical Inc. During this period Terry worked and traveled extensively in the western United States. Over the years as a seismographer Terry encountered a colorful cast of characters who developed into lifelong friends. It was also during this period that Terry met the love of his life, Katie Grieman Gierke of Glendive, MT. Terry and Katie were married on the 8th of August 1981 in Miles City, MT. On February 2, 1982 Terry and Katies first son Casey Grant Gierke was born in Miles City. By the time Katie was pregnant for the second time the young family was finally ready to put down roots so they bought a modest house just east of Miles City. Shortly thereafter, on the 21st of September 1983 their second son Coby Robert Gierke was born.
Around this time Terry began work for Portable Pavers Inc., a Miles City, MT based road construction company. Terry worked seasonally as a heavy equipment operator and spent winters with his growing family. His work in the summer months brought Terry all over Montana, always meeting new people and making friends along the way. Winter months gave Terry the opportunity to spend time with friends and explore the country with his family. Long, cross county drives and flights took Terry and his family to all corners of the nation.
Terrys compassion for those around him was demonstrated time and again as he repeatedly came to the aid of those in need around him. Be it caring for sick family members, providing meals, financial assistance, and transportation to anyone who could use it, Terrys love and sincere generosity was felt by many. Terry will also be remembered fondly for his great hospitality and open door policy. Many wayward friends and loved one's were welcomed into Terry and Katies home with open arms and without notice.
There were no strangers in Terrys world. Newcomers quickly became engaged in conversation with Terry, who could talk about just about anything with anybody. Terrys joyful and colorful side was often on display during his infrequent appearances at Montana Bar. The people Terry met along the path of his life rarely forgot his adventurous style and exuberant zest for life. Terry lived his life as a celebration and his infectious passion for fun could not be stopped from spreading to those around him. Terry was a well known figure in eastern Montana and could often be found entertaining crowds or piloting his RV to the perfect Main Street parking spot during the Bucking Horse Sale. The love and joy that Terry brought to the lives of the many people whom he knew will be missed greatly. The forge that produced the man so many of us knew and loved was broken immediately after his birth; his unique character is of irreplaceable value. It is with very heavy hearts that we wish him the same happiness in death that he shared with so many of us in life.
Terry is survived by two sons: Coby Robert Gierke of Bozeman, MT; and Casey Grant Gierke who is teaching English in Brazil; his father, Robert Bud Gierke of Miles City, MT; three brothers: Bill (Patty) Gierke of Tunnell City, WI; Rick McFall of Mandan, ND; and Bob McFall of Bismarck, ND; four sisters: Debra (Wayne) Torgerson of Antelope, MT; Patricia Ward of Miles City, MT; Kathie Zoller of Bismarck, ND; and Melody (Bob) Hanson of Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie; wife, Katie; sister, Barb Smith; and a brother Daniel at birth. Visitation will be held on
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City. Graveside services will be held onSaturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Bloomfield, MT. Friends and family will meet at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. to proceed to the cemetery together. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the family of Terry Gierke to be designated at a later date.
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