Arnold H. Gehrke

Date of Birth

Mar 02,1930

Date of Death

Oct 23,2011

ARNOLD H. GEHRKE, age 81, of Maple Park, IL, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family after a 30 year battle with Parkinsons Disease, in the early morning hours, Sunday, October 23, 2011. Arrangements are being handled with care by Conley Funeral Home, 630-365-6414. BORN: Arnold was born on March 2, 1930 in Elmhurst, IL, the son of Ernest and Ella (Panzer) Gehrke. EARLY YEARS:He was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bensenville, IL where he grew up and attended local schools. MARRIAGE: Where or how did they meet?On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marie Winkelmann at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Elk Grove, IL. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: A year later they moved to the Shadow Lawn Farm where he continued to farm until his retirement in 1992. Shadow Lawn was the scene of many family picnics and reunions and at the end of the day there was a hay ride for all to enjoy! The spare bedrooms were always open for relatives from Iowa and Indiana.OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:MEMBERSHIPS: Was he a member of any organization you’d like to list?LIFE NOTES: A farmer all his life, Arnold lived his life according to the whims of Mother Nature, planting, harvesting and tending to his livestock with meticulous care and attention to detail. The smell of the earth and the warmth of the sun gave him strength and fortitude to rise every morning for milking and continue to work until the sun went down and all the chores were done. Although his farm seemed to be his life, it was in fact his family. The love of his wife Marie kept him going when nothing else could and her care near the end was instrumental in giving him a peace no other could provide. He loved spending time with family and watching his sons grow. He took pride in watching them play Little League baseball, band concerts and a church soft ball. With the help of Cousin Erv to manage the daily chores for a few days, he would map out a route to take the young family on vacations. Arnold would mark special points of interest along the way including where they was stop and relax. He loved the beautiful mountains in the West and the last family vacation to the Grand Canyon. Over the years Arnold was blessed with two grandchildren whom he adored at first sight. Even though he was in a wheelchair, he went to see their Christmas Programs at church and all their performances in the Children’s Theater. Arnold was proud to see them off to college in the field of Agriculture, following in the footsteps of their father, grandfather and their great- grand father. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marie;Two sons:Robert (Beth) Gehrke and their children, Wayne and Carolyn of Elgin, IL and Gordon (Sherry) Gehrke of Maple Park, IL;Three nieces:Karen (Phil) Stojan of Maple Park, IL, Donna (John) Happersberger of Indianapolis, IN and Joyce (Henry) Schwebel of Jacksonville, FL;One sister-in-law, Mildred Winkelmann of Elburn, IL;PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Margaret Gehrke, his brother-in-law Emil Winkelmann and one nephew Glen Winkelmann. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, at St. Peters Lutheran Church North Plato, 43W301 Plank Rd., a ¼ mile east of Rt. 47 on Plank Rd., Hampshire, IL. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2011, also at the church. Rev. Gerhard Mau, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at Lily Lake Cemetery, Lily Lake, IL. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit St. Peters Lutheran Church North Plato. Checks may be made to the church and mailed in care of St. Peters Lutheran Church North Plato, 43W301 Plank Rd Hampshire IL, 60140. Tributes may also be forwarded to P.O. Box 66 or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2011, at St. Peters Lutheran Church North Plato, 43W301 Plank Rd., a ¼ mile east of Rt. 47 on Plank Rd., Hampshire, IL. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2011, also at the church. Rev. Gerhard Mau, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at Lily Lake Cemetery, Lily Lake, IL.

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