Geraldine F. Zeikle

Geraldine F. “Mama Zeke” Zeikle left us on January 22, 2014 to fly with the angels. Visitation will be at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 10010 E. 40 Hwy., Indep., MO, on Wed., Jan. 29, from 5 –7 pm with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 7 pm.

Geraldine was born Feb. 1, 1930 in Kansas City, MO. She began working at Montgomery Ward when she was 13, which was where she met the man she would marry 5 years later. Upon graduation from Glennon High School, she married the love of her life, Clarence “Zeke” Zeikle in 1948. She then began working for the Corps of Engineers where she moved up the ranks quickly & became Secretary to the Colonel for the Corps with all the perks including security clearance. In 1956 she became the greatest mother & stayed home to raise, first her daughter & then in 1962 along came a son. At the same time, Zeke established his first paint store & Gerry became the bookkeeper & partner in the business. Together they built a successful business that still thrives today.

Gerry was a devout Catholic & attended Nativity of Mary Church for all of her married life. She was a kind & gentle lady who helped many people throughout her life with kindnesses. In later years, she became the popular “Mama Zeke” on Q104 radio & entertained listeners with her brash & unexpected answers to off-the-wall questions posed to her. Gerry has always been a devoted Chiefs fan.

Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, Freda & Charles Shaw; her husband; her mother & father-in-law; many aunts & uncles; a niece & a nephew. She is survived by her daughter, Pam LaGrece (Rick); son, Chuck Zeikle (Denise); sister, Lois Whiteman (Tom) & 2 sisters-in-law, Sharon Bertz & Elaine Welch. Gerry loved her four grandchildren, Sarah Anderson (Luke), Kelsey Limbaugh, Haley Zeikle & Madison Zeikle. She was a fantastic great-grandmother to her three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Melanie & Ava. She was also a beloved aunt to her many nieces & nephews. She will be greatly missed & loved by all who knew her.

Online condolences to www.mcgilleysheil.com. Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., KCMO 64133, 816-353-6555.