Rev. Henry V. Gerike
Aug. 17, 1948 – Aug. 6, 2025

Rev. Henry V. Gerike passed away Aug. 6, 2025, at the age of 76 at the EverTrue Laclede Groves retirement community in Webster Groves, Mo.

Gerike was born in Parkers Prairie, Minn., Aug. 17, 1948. He graduated from Concordia Academy in St. Paul and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Concordia College in 1970. He began his ministry as a Lutheran educator and church musician in the St. Louis area and in Aurora, Ill.

He later served as teacher and cantor at Grace English Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Ill. During this time, he earned a Master of Church Music (MCM) degree from Concordia University Chicago. Feeling called to pastoral ministry; he went on to earn a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained into the Holy Ministry of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Gerike continued his ministry at Concordia Seminary, where he served as music director and led the Seminary chorus (Laudamus) on national tours. He produced numerous recordings and shaped generations of church musicians and pastors through his faithful leadership and deep love of sacred music. He also served as cantor at Church of the Reformation–Lutheran in Affton, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Victor Gerike and Lila (Bartelt) Gerike; his sister, Alice Lunneberg; and his brothers, Kirby and Paul Gerike.

He is survived by his brother, Timothy Gerike (Sue) of Bloomington, Ill.; his sister, Roxanne Heiliger (Michael) of Crystal Lake, Ill.; his brother-in-law, Rev. Allen Lunneberg of Waterford, Mich.; his sister-in-law, Ruth Gerike of Bloomington, Ill.; as well as 15 nieces and nephews and 17 great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held:
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025
Service: 9:35 a.m.
Concordia Seminary
Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus
801 Seminary Place
St. Louis, MO 63105

Interment to follow at:
Our Redeemer Cemetery
8300 Mackenzie Road
St. Louis, MO 63123

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:
Reformation Lutheran Church
7910 Mackenzie Road
St. Louis, MO 63123
or
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
801 Seminary Place
St. Louis, MO 63105