Gloria Flake Gerhardt

November 21, 1927 - February 18, 2017

After a succession of illnesses, Gloria joyfully returned to her apartment where her children cared for and surrounded her with love. In comfort and with peace, she was gently wrapped in the arms of her loving God. Our deepest thanks to our amazing team from Catholic Community Hospice who guided and supported us during this touching time.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, John and Wilma Sutter, her first husband John L. Flake who passed in 2000 and her second husband Donald Gerhardt who passed in 2008.

Gloria is survived by her sister, Beverly Martin and her husband Jim of KCMO; her four children: Linda Flake of KCMO, David Flake and his wife Theresa of Denver, CO, Diane Sudhoff and her husband Doug of Maryville, MO, and Paul Flake of KCMO; and three grandchildren Katie Sudhoff of Washington DC, Ryan Sudhoff of Dallas, TX and B.J. Sudhoff of Steven’s Point, WI; a loving extended family and a sprawling multitude of friends.

Throughout her life, Gloria thrived in multiple competitive environments — bowling (40 years with St. Ann’s Ladies, usually at the top) weekly golf (multiple courses and foursomes, while always walking with a pullcart), year-round tennis, multiple bridge clubs (as long as there weren't “slow-pokes” involved), and most recently cribbage. Even this past Christmas she dominated the family rummy card games.

Oh, and those beloved Kansas City Royals! How she loved their ”scrappiness”. Gloria never gave up on them because “they never gave up and would somehow find a way to pull it out.”

The kids remember their mom for the well-oiled, loving household she ran — Monday nights always meant warm jammies straight from the dryer; home-cooked dinner around the table every night (including dessert — just ask about the Flake Family French Chocolate Pie); every morning she’d wake us for school with a small yellow memo pad where she’d record our lunch requests and while we got ready, she’d be in the kitchen packing our custom lunches. The kids and their friends were always well cared for as was the house — she had her standards after all (heaven help you if you leave a wet towel on the floor or furniture!).

Gloria wanted her children to have a strong education and faith as “those are the two things no one can ever take from you”. And was dedicated to that mission.

She was an organizer and a thoughtful hostess, whether it was the monthly dinner club, the Hogan HS 50th reunion, her daughter’s wedding, the entire Littleton, Colorado rugby team (for an entire weekend) or the legendary New Years Eve party that almost burned the house down (true story — Fire Dept. contained it to just the dining room).

Gloria loved to sew for her family and home, painted the girls’ bedroom furniture, crocheted afghans, and on and on. The first “Garage Sale” sign of the year marked the season. Gloria and her sister, Beverly, would eagerly gather the kids and head out hunting for treasures. Her home was always decorated tastefully with the antiques and original art she would score. Yes, she passed all of these skills to her daughters.

And was she stylish! Especially buzzing around town in her convertibles.

Gloria’s life was truly complete upon the arrival of grandchildren. Until moving to Maryville in 2001, the grandkids were blessed to live just 5 blocks from their Grandma and Grandpa where they spent every Monday. She set up a nursery and playroom for them and totally spoiled them all day, as well as Diane and Doug who arrived after work to enjoy a warm meal and retrieve happy, exhausted kids.

Her History? We’re glad you asked. This is the Cliff Notes version:

Gloria was born in Salisbury, Missouri in 1927 to John and Wilma (Renne) Sutter. She and her younger sister Beverly enjoyed an idyllic early childhood with more aunts, uncles and cousins than possible until the Great Depression hit and her father lost the shoe store he owned. They moved to Kansas City where they lived with some extended family and her father was able to find work.

Gloria graduated from St. Peter’s grade school in 1941 and Bishop Hogan HS in 1945. She then graduated Avila College in 1949 with a degree in Mathematics and minors in Philosophy and Speech. She is remembered for not only her intelligence, but also her singing and performing throughout her school years.

Upon graduating from college, she joined Midwest Research Institute as a mathematician, only leaving there once she became a mother in 1953. From then on, her skills and energy were devoted to raising her family, running the home, volunteering for numerous causes (from church to Ladies of Charity to Girl Scouts and more) and her many friendly competitive pursuits.

Gloria married John Flake in June 1950 and together raised their four children, made friends wherever they went and traveled. John passed away in April 2000, just two months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Several years later Gloria reconnected with an old classmate, Don Gerhardt. They married and enjoyed four happy years together before Don passed in December 2008.

Since 2008, Gloria has enjoyed living in the Santa Marta community building an even broader circle of new friends, cribbage, poker, and bridge partners.

Contributions to Ladies of Charity or Catholic Community Hospice are appreciated in lieu of flowers.

We were blessed and honored to have Gloria for our mother and feel privileged to have shared her life with you.

Thank you,

Linda, David, Diane, and Paul