Irma Martha Gerlich, 84, Sturgis, died Thursday, March 1, 2007, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Mike Fox officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Irma was born Dec. 8, 1922, in Fellhammer, Germany, to Richard and Martha (Hildebrand) Rudolph. She was born, educated, raised, married, and had two children while living in Germany. She married Ernst Gerlich in Tonning, Germany, on June 21, 1947.

In June of 1952, the family moved to Alliance, Neb., where they farmed. In 1966, they moved to Deadwood, where Ernst worked at Homestake Mining Company. They moved to Sturgis in 1980.

Irma enjoyed baking, cooking, dancing, sewing, and knitting. She was a member of the Rushmore German Club. Irma also volunteered at the Summerfest.

She is survived by her husband, Ernst Gerlich, Sturgis; one son, Karl (Betty) Gerlich, Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Regina Gerlich, St. Onge, and Diana (Mike) Leveque, Sturgis; two brothers, Heinz Rudolph and Norbert Rudolph, both of Germany; two sisters, Gerda Carl and Inge, both of Germany; five grandchildren, Karen, Daniel, Meredith, Travis, and Brittany; and five great-grandchildren, Paige, Mariah, Kayla, Nivek, and Zac.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; and two sisters.