Elmwood Cemetery

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Bobby Sue Owen Gerloff

February 3, 1925 ~ January 5, 2026

Bobby Gerloff, 100 year old Woodward resident, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 in Woodward. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 in the Billings Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Bobby Sue (Owen) Ham Gerloff was born in Searcy, Arkansas to Carl Owen and Norma (Benedict) Owen, the third child of four, Bobby Owen moved to Oklahoma and graduated as Valedictorian from Seiling High School and attended Woodward Junior Business College.

In 1942 she married Eugene Earl "Jimmy" Ham and they lived in Woodward until Jimmy enlisted in the United States Army which then took them to Vancouver, Washington. While living in Washington, Bobby worked at both aluminum Company of America and Kaiser Shipyard. In 1945 while deployed in the Philippines, Jimmy was killed in action. This brought Bobby back to Woodward to be close to her in-laws.

In 1951 she began working at the local radio station (KSIW), where she stayed for several years, eventually beginning her long career with the USDA, Soil Conservation Service division. During her 50 plus years with the USDA, she earned many awards and certificates of achievement. She was also an Equal Opportunity Representative for several areas of the state.

In 1980 she married Lynton Gerloff of Freedom, Oklahoma and they were together until his death in 2004. Bobby loved to travel and especially enjoyed the many trips with Lynton. They traveled the world visiting countries in nearly every continent and had many great adventures.

She enjoyed bowling and was regular on a team, often participating in state and national tournaments. Always wanting to learn new things, she attended Spanish classes and computer courses among other learning experiences. She was an active member of the Church of Christ in Woodward for many years.

Bobby is survived by daughters Nicki Hauser and Gail Fitts; stepson Gary (Vanessa) Gerloff; grandchildren: Julie (Rob) (Robbie and Dylan) Wilson, Jayson (Erin) (Jackson and Landon) Hauseer, Jacob Fitts, Lori (Gerloff) King, Josh (Amy) Neese, and Chance (AlyJea) Gerloff; several great-grandchildren; niece Sharon (Miller) Johnston, and nieces and nephew Cindy, Lisa, Cliff (Whetstone).

Bobby was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Ham, son Benny Ham, mother Norma Ashley, sisters Millie (Clifford) Whetstone and Jo (Bob) Maloney, brother Earl Owen, husband Lynton Gerloff, grandson Jared Fitts, and son-in-law Jay Hauser.

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