Gerald Duaine Gaston (nee Jerry), 86, a faithful servant, entered the presence of the Lord peacefully at his home surrounded by family on February 10, 2025, in Howell, Michigan.
Jerry was born on October 27, 1938, the fifth child of Warren and Emily (Starling) Gaston in Junction City, Kansas. He is preceded in death by his siblings Marjorie, Dorothy, Patricia, and Stephenae and is survived by his older brother Warren. After graduating from Junction City High School, he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard with his close childhood friends in 1957 and briefly attended Kansas State University.
He married his sweetheart, Jayna Sue Gaston (Gastineau) of Topeka, Kansas, on November 4, 1961. He then moved to Topeka, Kansas, to begin his family and lifelong career in retail management.
One of Jerry’s greatest joys, and he believed his greatest legacy from this life was his deep love for his wife and the family they created together. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and their families. He is survived by his loving wife Jayna married for 63 years; his children, JuliAnn Mazachek (husband Keith), Janelle Beutler (husband Joel), Joel Gaston (wife Vicki), and Jeryn Palenske (husband Tom); his 11 grandchildren and their families, Ashley Gaston Harrold (Brian), Roxann Beutler Childers (Brandon), Kaetlynn Palenske Phillips (Austin), Garrett Mazachek (Juliana), Clayton Gaston, Kara Mazachek Cade (Rowan), Christian Palenske (Rebecca), Stephanie Mazachek Kupchin (Kyle), Cathryn Palenske Wieck (Derek), Andrew Beutler (Nicole), Ellis Beutler (Brianna); his twelve great grandchildren with more little ones to be joining the family soon; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry made a meaningful difference through his diligent and dedicated work. He began his retail career at JCPenney in downtown Topeka, KS before moving to the brand-new White Lakes Mall store. He later transferred to Leavenworth, then Kansas City and then began a career with Venture Stores in the early 1970’s moving to Florissant, MO where he and Jayna raised their children. In 1984, he returned to Topeka to open the new Venture store in Fairlawn Mall and to help take care of his mom Emily in Junction City and Jayna’s mom Anna in Topeka. Jerry loved serving his customers and creating the best shopping experience possible, but he is remembered for the kind way he treated people and treasured his team members. He genuinely cared about his team and their families. He treated others with respect and with honesty. Upon his retirement, he devoted his retail expertise to serving others through his part-time work at Doorstep’s Thrift Shop and the Topeka Zoo Gift Shop.
Jerry’s deep faith and deep-seated devotion to serving his church during his retirement years kept him active. He pursued study to become a Deacon in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and served Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka. He also was the president of the congregation, the church facility manager, and the head of the trustees.
A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on August 9, 2025, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3625 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, Kansas, beginning at 12:30 pm. The family will receive friends at the church at 11:00 am and until the time of service. Interment will occur at a private service for family immediately following the Celebration of Life service at Highland Cemetery in Wakefield, Kansas.
In honor of Gerald Gaston, a memorial has been established.
Please mail contributions to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (memo: Gerald Gaston) at 3625 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, KS, 66614
You may also make an online contribution using the following link: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YRNC/campaign/C-15D8B
Memories and online condolences can be shared with the family at www.WatkinsFuneralHomes.com.