Obituaries : Bernice J. Gierke; Community Leader

Bernice J. Gierke, a longtime Burbank community leader who was chosen Woman of the Year in 1981, has died in a Glendale hospital. She was 85.

Mrs. Gierke died Monday of complications of pneumonia, said her daughter, Shirley A. Nelson.

Born in Rochester, Minn., Mrs. Gierke came to California in 1947 and settled in Burbank. She was past president of the United Methodist Women, trustee of the First United Methodist Church of Burbank, founding member and past president of the Burbank Temporary Aid Auxiliary, past president of auxiliary for Pacific Manor and active with the auxiliaries for Harvard Plaza and Wesley Tower, senior citizens complexes in Burbank. From 1986 to 1990, she was a member of the Burbank Senior Citizens Board, which serves as a liaison between the city’s senior programs and the City Council.

Mrs. Gierke was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Burbank Chapter No. 352, PEO Sisterhood Chapter KN, Republican Women of Burbank, Women’s Club of Burbank, a board member of Burbank Homes Inc. and a docent and member of the Historical Society of Burbank.

In 1981, a committee of local organizations selected her as Woman of the Year.

In addition to Nelson, Mrs. Gierke is survived by her daughter Betty Spada of Burbank; sister Viola Engelen of Burbank; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband, Otto F. Gierke, died in 1983.

A memorial service is scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Burbank at 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Forest Lawn Mortuary, Hollywood Hills, is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made to the Bernice J. Gierke Memorial Fund at the church.