Obit: Gehrke, Lawrence “Larry” (1932 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gehrke, Pralguske, Neitzel, Scidmore, Jelinski, Kurtzahls, Miller

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Colby, Clark Co., WI) 2/03/2022

Gehrke, Lawrence “Larry”(23 January 1932 – 2 February 2022)

Lawrence “Larry” Gehrke, age 90, of Colby, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at The Waterford in Colby under the tender care of Heartland Hospice.

A private family service will be held.

Larry was born on January 23, 1932, in Owen, the son of Lewis and Ann (Pralguske) Gehrke. He grew up in various locations in the Withee and Longwood area. Larry received his education at Longwood and Moody Elementary Schools, attended Withee High School, leaving his sophomore year to work at Longwood Cheese Factory with his father and brother.

In 1954, Larry met the love of his life, Lois Neitzel at the Country Ballroom in Marshfield. They danced their way to marriage in May of 1955. They moved to Marshfield where Larry embarked on a life of carpentry work taking him and his family to Unity and finally Colby area with his Gehrke Builders business.

After leaving the construction business in the late 1970’s, Larry drove semi-truck for Badger State Western and Feirer Oil (Klemm Tank Lines), retiring at the age of 80. He loved working (never wanting to retire) and socializing with people. Larry enjoyed playing cards, fishing, dancing with his loving wife, Lois, and helping his children with various home improvement projects over the years. He was loved by many and made friends wherever he went. He had a great sense of humor! Larry loved his family immensely and would do all he could to keep them safe and happy.

Larry is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois; his son, Bob, daughter-in-law, Denise (Scidmore) of Holcombe; brother, John (Mary) Gehrke of Burnsville, MN; three grandchildren: Laura (Drew) Jelinski of Madison, Eric (Elsa Kurtzahls) of Rochester, MN and Nicholas Miller of Unity; and three great-grandchildren: Hale Jelinski, Brielle and Bryson Gehrke. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Tammy and two brothers, Ron and Tom Gehrke of Owen.

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