Larned – Gerald P. (Short) Penka, 62, passed away January 11, 2015, at his home in Norwood, MA., following a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Gerald was born October 15, 1952, in Larned, KS., the tenth child of the late Pete and Hilda (Boor) Penka. He grew up on the family farm near Belpre, graduated from Larned High School, and attended St. Mary of the Plains and Fort Hays State Colleges.

On July 26, 1998, he married Mary Strauss in Iowa City, IA. She passed away on November 4, 2014.

He is survived by his children, Justin, Lawrence, KS., Alisha, Boston, MA., and Nathan, currently deployed in the US Navy; four sisters, Kathy Bowman, Larned, Patricia Klamm, Kansas City, KS., Joyce Sims, Colorado Springs, CO., and Connie Mauney, Pawnee Rock; three brothers, Vernon Penka, Kansas City, KS., Roy Penka, Belpre, KS., and Allen Penka, Dodge City, KS.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty White and Mary Ann Fox and a brother, Larry Penka.

Interment will be at a later date in Belpre, KS., as will be a remembrance celebration.

Memorials may be sent to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Practicum Oncology Program, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Box 477 Larned, KS 67550. Condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.