Orey D. Gehrke, 82, Luverne, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.
Services were Tuesday, Nov. 26, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Gary Klatt officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Orey Donald Gehrke was born to Gust and Minnie (Wallenburg) Gehrke on Oct. 18, 1920, in Beaver Creek. Growing up he helped his parents on the farm near Beaver Creek. The family then moved to a farm south of Luverne. He worked as a truck driver for E.A. Hermann for four years and then worked for Bert Lease at his gas station for a couple of years before returning to work for his parents on the farm.
He married Myrtle Ross on May 20, 1943, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. They lived and farmed in Mound Township for a few years before moving to a farm in Luverne Township in 1951. They relocated to Denver Township near Hardwick in 1966, and farmed until 1976 when he sold the farm. They moved to Luverne and purchased a café. He retired in 1993.
Mr. Gehrke was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving as an elder and an usher. He loved playing cards, especially pinochle. He was an avid collector of clocks and enjoyed an occasional trip to Flandreau.
Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Gehrke, Luverne; one son, Gene (Ruth) Gehrke Jasper; three grandchildren, Larry Gehrke, Donald (Nancy) Gehrke, and Vikkijean (Scott) Kessler; three great-grandchildren, Brandie Leigh Gehrke, Orvil John Swenson, and Dyllon Wyatt Gehrke; one sister, Effie Gertz, Appleton, Wis., numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and his 13-year-old Pomeranian, Sandy.
Mr. Gehrke was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Alvin, Harvey and Willie, two sisters, Liddy and Esther, and one grandson, David Gehrke.
The Luverne Hospice Program will plant a tree in Orey Gehrke’s memory.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.