Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 60 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Betty Gehrke
Betty Mae Gehrke, 88, of Eau Claire, died Sunday, January 20, 2013, at her apartment at Milestone Senior Living, her home for the last sixteen months. Her family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Milestone for their care and concern for Betty during her time there.
She was born August 22, 1924 to Peter and Verena (Schnoor) Kramschuster in Augusta, WI. She grew up in Augusta and graduated from Augusta High School in 1942. She had fond memories of those early years in Augusta. She graduated from Stout Institute in Menomonie with a degree in Home Economics Education and began her teaching career in 1946 in Park Falls, WI. Betty married Paul W. Gehrke in his parents’ home in Menomonie on December 21, 1946, and they celebrated 58 years together. Her teaching career continued, first in her hometown of Augusta and next in Eau Claire at Central Junior High. She was a skilled educator who instilled her love of sewing and learning in her students. After leaving her teaching career, she volunteered her skills for many years to assist new Hmong immigrants expand their literacy skills and adapt to life in their new home.
Betty was a charter member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where she was active in womens’ groups, bible study, and Christian education. She had a real gift for sewing, quilting, knitting, and cooking and passed on these skills to her family.
Betty is survived by two sons, Robert (Juelie Sires) of Eau Claire and Peter (Carol) Gehrke of Amherst, WI; two daughters, Paula (Gary) Thompson of Eau Claire and Karen (Paul) Holverson of Ottawa, IL. Betty, along with Paul, were great role models for and took great pride in their grandchildren, Ben (Emily) Thompson, Abigail (Brian) Marish, and Molly Thompson; Alissa Holverson, Amy (Jim) Flanery, and Sarah (Josh) Taylor, and Melanie, Allison, and Samantha Gehrke. She found special joy in her two great-grandchildren, Harper Marish and Noah Flanery.
She is further survived by two sisters, Marjorie (Robert) Lee of Siren, WI and Mona Ottoson of Springfield, VA; two brothers-in-law, Frank Shadewald of Muscoda, WI and Dale Hight of Oconomowoc, WI, as well as nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, two sisters-in-law, Louise Hight and Jean Shadewald, a brother-in-law, Harold Ottoson, and a niece, Sue Ann Soderberg.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 24th at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Pastor Gerd Bents officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta, WI. The Anderson Funeral Home of Augusta is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Eau Claire County Senior Center Sewing Group, which Betty enjoyed, or to her church, The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Capital Campaign, 1120 Cedar Street, Eau Claire, WI.
