Our son Mathew Lee Gerken passed away Saturday March 17, 2012, in Post Falls at home in his bed due to heart failure.

He was born Feb. 5, 1993, in Spokane. Mathew was born with a heart defect that caused him to have two heart surgeries over the course of his short life. He stood up to these problems with a strength beyond his years.

He was a very quick witted young man that always kept his mother and I on our toes. Mathew was planning to move to Moscow this summer and attend the University of Idaho with his good friend Joel.

He was also a very gifted musician, he played the guitar with his good friend Dan who played the drums. He was also the best man at a wedding recently for his good friend Corey and gave a speech that made us proud.

To all of Mat’s friends, the ones we knew and the ones we didn’t, I want to thank you for the love and friendship you have shown him over the years. Always remember him with a smile on his face.

Mathew is survived by his parents Dan and Tawnia Gerken, grandparents Jack and Bonnie Wargi, Mike Gerken, aunts and uncles John and Shayna Gerken, Karen and Markus Rissmann, Roy and Vickie Wargi, Ken Wargi as well as many cousins and great grandparents.

A memorial service will be held for Mathew at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, (208) 457-8880, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012.