Geraldine (Gerry) Dorothy Bakeris, 90

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ASHLAND – Geraldine (Gerry) Dorothy Bakeris, 90, of Ashland, formerly of Davenport, IA, passed away with her daughter Samantha by her side on Saturday, November 6, 2021, after a short period of declining health, at MetroWest Hospital in Framingham.

Born in Chicago, IL, she was the eldest of nine children to the late Andrew and Genevieve (Czosnyka) Czupka.

In June 1955, she married John Bakeris of Davenport, Iowa, who preceded her in death in 2010.

Gerry was a devoted mother to her only child, Samantha.   

Gerry attended St Joseph’s High School and continued to meet monthly with a group of 12 close friends, “Hope Chest Club”, for over 65 years.  She received a Bachelor’s degree from Marycrest College and later she was the first woman in her program to receive her MBA from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.   

She worked over the years at Hickey Brothers, Oscar Meyer, and retired from John Deere in 1992.

Gerry was an accomplished pianist and singer.  In her youth she traveled with the Czupka Family Band throughout the midwest and made an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl.  As a young adult, she volunteered by playing the organ at daily mass at St Joseph’s Church in Rock Island, IL.  Through-out her life, she was the president of Jaycettes in Davenport, a member of the Quad City Music Guild, and talented at needlepoint, crochet, knitting, and crafting.  She was a very curious person and a lifelong learner. She spent her years after retirement taking bus tours of museums and reading books she didn’t have time to read in her youth. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her beloved husband at the Riverboat casinos, playing, socializing, and enjoying a vodka gimlet.  

 Gerry is survived by her daughter Samantha Hornung and her husband John of Ashland, grandchildren Madeline, Jackson, and Abigail Hornung, siblings Bernadine Bowman of IL, Rick Czupka and his wife Lois of IA, Dewey Czupka and wife Candy of IL, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Ernest Czupka, Giles Czupka, Diana Barnett and two brothers who passed as infants, Ronald and Frank Czupka.

 Gerry was profoundly dedicated to her Catholic faith and regularly prayed rosaries for those in need.  Her life was filled with great love and dedication. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday December 20 at 10 a.m. in CHRIST THE KING CHURCH, 3209 60th St, Moline, IL.  

In lieu of flowers,  you are welcome to make a donation to a charity of your choice in her name. 

Arrangement by Matarese Funeral Home in Ashland.

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