Margaret Gayla Gerken

Margaret Gayla Gerken, 65, of Amarillo passed peacefully on October 2, 2022.

A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter in Amarillo with Rev. John Valdez presiding. A private family inurnment will follow.

Margaret was born on May 4, 1957 in Amarillo, Texas to Luke Edward and Carolyn Elizabeth (Mallett) Gerken. She attended and graduated from Amarillo High School and would round out her formal education by obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix. She was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church for many years.

She thoroughly enjoyed creative writing, scrapbooking, and reading a good novel. Margaret was incredibly devoted to her family. She took care of everyone and loved being “GiGi” to her grandchildren. She was involved deeply with her grandchildren and was not only their biggest supporter, but also their biggest fan and encourager.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, sister Patty Lynn, brother Gary, and niece Brittany. Those left to cherish her memories are her daughters Tonya Giles and husband Bo, Carrie Jackman-Gordon and husband Robert, sisters Cathe Lytle, Janet Jelinek, Laura Briant and Martha Purcell, brothers Dan and Mark Gerken; and her beloved grandchildren Cameron, Robert II, Freyja, Brynhild, Brett, MaKenzie, and Bryce.

The family suggests memorials be made to Catholic Charities, 2004 N Spring, Amarillo, Texas 79107.