Cerka, Sharon 'Sherry' Kay

Sharon “Sherry” Kay Cerka, 75, of Crawfordsville, formerly of Cedar Rapids, entered Heaven on Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Cedar Rapids. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 30, at Sharon United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. A private family inurnment will be at a later date in Linwood Cemetery.

Sherry was born July 15, 1937, in Indianola, the only daughter of Clarence Weston and Genevieve Arlene (Weld) Hopple. She graduated from Marion Independent High in 1955. She later attended MIT in Minneapolis, Marshalltown Community College and Kirkwood College in the field of business. She married David M. Cerka on July 14, 1957 at Sharon United Methodist Church, by her father-in-law, Reverend Walter Cerka. She worked for many years in the banking industry for Peoples, Brenton, Security Savings, Cass County and Collins Community Credit Union Banks. Sherry was the proud owner and operator of Cerka Costume Rental for 29 years. Most people knew her as “The Costume Lady.” She was an active member of Sharon United Methodist Church and the Crawfordsville Community Church as well as the Red Hat Society. Sherry was an active volunteer at the Carl and Mary Koehler History Center. She enjoyed antiques, crafts, trips and family activities. Singing and attending the grandkids activities were very special to her.

Sherry is survived by her husband of over 55 years, David of Crawfordsville; three children, Colleen (Richard) Gregg of Lincoln, Neb., Jolleen Cerka of Washington and David II (Veronica) Cerka of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Joey (Elizabeth) Gregg and McKaylia, Dylan and Clayton Cerka; two great-granddaughters, Addison and Ella Gregg; a sister, Jackie Krousie of Galveston, Texas; a brother, Terry Sacre of Cedar Falls; stepsisters, Linda Linn, Cindy Price, Sondra Funaro, Susan Miller and Lisa Sutton of the Indianola and Des Moines area; sister-in-law, Beth (Lee) Tubach of Arvada, Colo.; brother-in-law, Frank (Toni) Cerka of Little Elm, Texas; as well as nieces and nephews.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and one beloved grandson, Jason M. Gregg.

Memorials may be directed to the Sharon United Methodist Church, Crawfordsville Community Church, Salvation Army or to Camp Courageous in her name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published in The Gazette May 28, 2013.