Linda Gerik

Linda Marie (Pustejovsky) Gerik, age 75, of Aquilla, passed away early Wednesday afternoon, January 15, 2025 at West Rest Haven in West.

A rosary will be recited 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, followed by visitation until 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2025 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. Thomas Jones as celebrant and assisted by Deacon Terry Timmons. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. 

Linda was born September 2, 1949 in Hillsboro, the daughter of Daniel and Flo (Thompson) Pustejovsky. She was a 1968 graduate of Hillsboro High School before receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Texas Women's University in 1972 and a Master's Degree in Health Service Management from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in 1998. On May 29, 1971 she was united in marriage to Dennis Gerik in Abbott. Dennis preceded her in death on January 9, 2009. Linda was a faithful member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where she was an organist for over 50 years and played for many weddings and funerals. She also served as a CCD teacher and sang in the choir. Linda was a member of the Hill County Master Gardeners, SPJST, KJZT #104 in Abbott, Women's ACTS team, and in her serving spirit, volunteered for the Hillsboro Interfaith Ministries and Whitney Meals-On-Wheels. She was a Registered Nurse for Grant Buie Hospital in Hillsboro where she held several positions including Director of Nursing, Infection Control Director, and Education Director. She also worked for Hill Regional Hospital in Hillsboro, Providence Health Center in Waco, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, and then for Hill College where she was an instructor in the Nursing Program. Linda enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, shopping, and traveling. She was highly devoted to and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and attending all their events. 

Linda is also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ted Pustejovsky and Larry Pustejovsky; brothers-in-law, Richard Hargrove, Ed Kemp, Ronnie Gerik, Jimmy Gerik, Timmy Gerik, Ernie Janek, and Marshall Matthews; and a sister-in-law, Martha Gerik.

Survivors include her sons, John Gerik and wife Molly of Abbott and Paul Gerik and wife Jo Ann of Aquilla; her grandchildren, Lesley Vrazel and husband Tyler, Lauren Gerik and fiancé Daniel Castanon, Kyle Gerik, Morgan Gerik, and Will Gerik; a great granddaughter on the way, Reece Marie Vrazel; her sisters, Diane Davison and husband Mickey, Janice Markwardt and husband Vernon, Susie Hargrove, and Marge Kemp; her brothers, Ricky Pustejovsky and wife Adela, Edward Pustejovsky and wife Lea, and Jim Pustejovsky and wife Sharon; sisters-in-law, Debbie Janek, Kathy Matthews, and Marsha Gerik; a brother-in-law, Jerry Gerik Jr and wife Denise; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers are Chris Janek, Kevin Janek, Jason Janek, John David Janek, Kevin Plunkett, Eric Markwardt, Ronnie Joe Gerik, and Curtis Lesley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fatima Cemetery Association, Aquilla Volunteer Fire Department, or the charity of your choice. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to a very special friend, Shirley Blanchard who drove Linda to weekly Mass, doctor appointments, the bank, and shopping trips. They would also like to thank Dr. Jeremiah Seely and the staff at West Rest Haven for taking such good care of Linda.