Doris Marie Gehrke

IN LOVING MEMORY OF DORIS MARIE HOPKINS GEHRKE Doris Marie Gehrke, 93, passed away on Monday December 25,2023 at The Legacy of St. Anthony after an exceptionally long fight of dementia. Her grand reward is in heaven, where she and Robert may share their Love and Peace together. Doris was born June 1, 1930, to the parents, Edgar and Violet Hopkins in Frederic, WI. baptized, July 15, 1930, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Centeria, WI. And confirmed May 28,1944 in Milltown Lutheran Church. With her family Darlene (Roger Deceased) Ekstrand, Larry (deceased) (Julee) Hopkins, and Lyle (Beverly) Hopkins she lived and participated in life on their farm in rural Milltown, WI. Doris attended her 12 years of school in Milltown, graduating from High School in 1948. She also attended Northeast Metro Technical Institute in the adult extension program and nutrition program. In the summer of 1947, she began employment at the Co-op Store in Milltown in 1948 she began over 8 years of employment at Luck Production Credit Association in Luck, WI. Doris and Bob were both students at Milltown High School. About 1946 they began to date. On May 28th, 1949, they were married in Milltown Lutheran Church. This began more than 60 years of a very loving and faithful togetherness. It has been said, if you see one the other one was somewhere close by. Their first home was in Luck, WI. In early 1957 they moved to Minneapolis and after six months they moved to St. Anthony. They were both employed at Honeywell. In 1959, when son Reginald was born, Doris became a stay-at-home mother. Douglas arrived four short years after in 1963. These two sons filled their days and years with love and happiness. The never-ending blessings of family Will endure forever. In 1995 daughter-in -law Rita joined the family. Grandchildren also enriched their lives, with Sunday brunches, birthdays, holiday events, and games to enjoy together. These gems go by the names of (oldest to youngest) Jeremy (Xiomara Parson) Whipple, Brian Gehrke(deceased) Paul Thornton, Christopher (Amber)Gehrke, Phillip Gehrke, Kalynn (Robbie Emmens) Nordstrom, Colton Gehrke. There are also nine great grandchildren who Doris loved to play with when they came to visit. These are Skylar Parsons, Ethan Parsons, Abigail Whipple, James Whipple, Carter Tuma, Devon Tuma, Alayna Gehrke, Zane Thornton, and Owen Emmens. In 1969, Doris began part-time employment in St Anthony School Food Service, which continued for 20 years. Doris and Bob joined Nativity Lutheran Church on October 2, 1958. There they found their spiritual home among friends and fellow believers. It is also where their sons grew in their faith through Sunday School, Confirmation and beyond. Membership was only the beginning of their fifty-two plus years of contributing, volunteering, and participating in the growing church that is Nativity. Doris enjoyed her volunteering at Nativity in many different areas of service. These included: Kitchen supervisor, receptionist, record keeper, organizer, property committee secretary, and welcome desk. She and Bob helped with property and equipment maintenance and shopping for supplies. After Bob's passing On December 31,2009 Doris continued to volunteer work at Nativity. She enjoyed her later years with friends and family. She retired from volunteering at the church when she could no longer drive. Her shopping days ended up being on Tuesdays when we (Doris and Rita) would go to the church so she could spend some time there. She would get her cup of coffee and whatever sweet she could find and have a coffee break. Of course, while sitting on her break, she would notice the flower arrangements on the counter would have dying flowers in them that had to be fixed. We always ended up in the kitchen where she dearly loved to be. Everything needed to be in its correct place according to mom. Then she was ready to do her other errands. She loved her family and her GOD. Thanks be to GOD for his blessing.

Tributes

Doris Marie Gehrke

June 1, 1930 - December 25, 2023

Tributes

Doris Marie Gehrke

June 1, 1930 - December 25, 2023

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