Nila Madelyn (Shoffner) Gerkin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Nila Madelyn (Shoffner) Gerken, 93, passed away on March 11, 2022. She was born at 1324 E. Spruce St. in Pueblo, CO on Sept. 7, 1928. Nila was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Shoffner and Gladys Swartz; her husband, Elwood Gerken; brothers Chuck and Merle Shoffner; and granddaughter, Katrina James. She is survived by her children, Gary (Phyllis) Gerken and Jacquelyn Gerken; grandchildren Monique (Mark) Morey and Alexandria (Scott) Gerken; great-grandchildren Daisy Ana and George Logan James; numerous nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. Nila was trained in dance from a young age and went on tour as a professional dancer. However, it didn’t take long for her to decide that wasn’t the kind of life she wanted, so she soon returned to Pueblo. In September 1947, she married her husband of over 51 years, Elwood Granby Gerken. They were married until Elwood passed away unexpectedly in March 1999. Their son, Gary Jon Gerken, was born July 30, 1948. Their daughter, Jacquelyn Gerken, was born May 2, 1952. In addition to dancing, Nila also loved swimming, gardening, animals, canning pickles and peaches and sharing them with her family and friends, spending time with family and friends, and making them laugh by telling entertaining stories. Nila was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 6, 1957. She especially loved sharing with others her faith in her heavenly father Jehovah God and her hope for a better future. She looked forward eagerly to the time when God’s Kingdom will rule over the earth with Christ Jesus as King, as promised at Matthew 6: 9, 10. Jesus’ promise at Matthew 24:14 was another of her favorite scriptures. There, Jesus said, “And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” She took her responsibility to share the good news of the Kingdom seriously until the ravages of dementia gradually took the ability to do so from her. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she had strong faith in the resurrection hope as promised in God’s Word the Bible. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held for her by the Mesa Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pueblo, CO on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 1 pm via Zoom meeting.

Nila Madelyn (Shoffner) Gerkin

September 7, 1928 - March 11, 2022