Christina Mary Hurley Gerking

Christina Mary Hurley ‘Gerking’ was born Christmas Day 1925 to Ruth and Ernest Hurley in Walla Walla, WA and welcomed her Jesus’ sweet embrace June 14, 2022.  Chrissy was the fourth of five children in a musical funny family who loved word games, puns and rhyming.  She taught herself to sew and made most of her own clothes through high school as well as graduating valedictorian of her class.  By this time Chris and ‘Gerk’ were engaged and working hard to save $2000 so as not to feel ‘poor’ when they married in Nov of 46. Two years later they moved to Prosser to raise wheat on Horrigan Farms in partnership with Gerks dad Cliff, for a time living in what could only be characterized as ‘rustic’ conditions out on Horse Heaven.  Before too long they were able to buy a little house on Anna street and began honing re-modeling and decorating skills.  Chrissy was particularly adept at very fine painting, wallpapering and creating warm and cozy rooms.  In Nov 51 Ed entered the picture but Chrissy’s Rh negative condition kept the family small.  In 1955 Chris and Gerk got the Sheldelan Place and a 70 year party started at the end of 7th St.  They did the entire remodel themselves except for laying the fireplace brick.  Chrissy’s art was practical.  She sewed all the draperies in the house herself, canned countless immaculate quarts of peaches and pears, each piece perfectly placed by her delicate hands.  Every year she’d fill a freezer with Gramma Warneke’s fresh corn and Davis’ Orchards applesauce, plus canning gallons of fresh grape juice to make Sabbath Punch.  Chrissy’s house and beach were always full of ‘company’.  In her time she probably carried 500 lbs of just Rice Krispie Treats down the river bank to all the kids.  The single biggest focus of her devotion however was her faith in Jesus and caring for the little Prosser Adventist Church.  She served as church treasurer and pianist for over 30 years, decorated and redecorated the youth rooms downstairs several times and each week made it a point to bring a flower arrangement from her yard or stockpile of silk flowers and invite any church visitors home to eat, always with a light and gracious heart.  She wanted things to be nice.  In their 80s and 90s Gerk would often pay Chrissy the highest possible compliment.  ‘I couldn’t have asked for a better wife….that girl can stretch a dollar.’

Chrissy is survived by her loving son Ed, her cherished daughter-in-law Sherri Jo Hickman-Gerking, precious grandchildren Casey, Kelli Jo, Katie and great grandchildren Cameron and Morgan.

A celebration of life for Chris and Gerk  (Covid lockdown delayed)  will be held April 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the Prosser United Methodist Church on 6th St. in Prosser, WA. Those wishing to sign Chris and Gerk’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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