James “Jim” John Gehrke, 74, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 17, 1939, to the late John and Lillian Gehrke, and he resided in Appleton. Jim graduated from Appleton High School in 1959 and went on to serve in the U.S.…
Continue ReadingJames “Jim” John Gehrke, 74, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 17, 1939, to the late John and Lillian Gehrke, and he resided in Appleton. Jim graduated from Appleton High School in 1959 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army before retiring from the Banta Company.
To our loving father, husband, brother, and friend, we have enjoyed many a good meal together, laughed with you at your stories, cried with you in sorrow and joy, and most of all loved each other.
Thank you to the many family and friends that have made his life journey so full of all that he loved and enjoyed. From a young age his passion was hot rod cars. A great childhood memory his brother shared was that as a youngster, he would watch him for hours cut out pictures of cars and save them in a photo book. He had a few hot rods and enjoyed going and participating in parades and car shows. He rarely missed a Saturday to “go to out to the shop to see the boys,” reminisce, talk smart, and make new stories. Jim was loved dearly by his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Gehrke; daughters, Debra (James) Hull and Keri Gehrke; brother, Leland (Debbie) Gehrke; nephew, John (Sarah) Gehrke; and niece, Michelle (Bryan) Porto. He is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter (Pat) Vosters, Mark (Mary Kay) Vosters, Ken (Lou Ann) Vosters, Rose Lamine, Vern (Judy) Vosters, and Gerry Vosters; many special godchildren, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral liturgy for Jim will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014, at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the American Heart Association.
Bob Zurik
left a message on September 23, 2014:
My dear Mary and family, what a distressing telephone call from you last week. Mary, I think you know what a privilege it was for me to enjoy the company of Jim on and off these past 50 years. I remember that first visit to our Virginia farm and he was so shy. Then when Deb was born I think Edith was the first to see her at the hospital, beating out Jim, and then at the house trailer. Then the visit to your little house in the back yard, then our visit shortly after you moved into your new house, the Omaha visit and then our visit back. My visit in Louisville at the street rod show in 2002, and finally the visit in 2012 to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary. You did a magnificent job caring for Jim during his bad times and that rang many bells in heaven for you. God bless you, Keri, Deb and Jim, Lee and Debbie. Till we meet again.
Bob Zurik
left a message on September 23, 2014:
My dear Mary and family, what a distressing telephone call from you last week. Mary, I think you know what a privilege it was for me to enjoy the company of Jim on and off these past 50 years. I remember that first visit to our Virginia farm and he was so shy. Then when Deb was born I think Edith was the first to see her at the hospital, beating out Jim, and then at the house trailer. Then the visit to your little house in the back yard, then our visit shortly after you moved into your new house, the Omaha visit and then our visit back. My visit in Louisville at the street rod show in 2002, and finally the visit in 2012 to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary. You did a magnificent job caring for Jim during his bad times and that rang many bells in heaven for you. God bless you, Keri, Deb and Jim, Lee and Debbie. Till we meet again.
Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
left a message on September 21, 2014:
dear Mary and family,
Dick and I will always remember the great times we had boating, especially in Door County and the Mississippi river. We remember Jim's quote after a particularly rough ride in choppy Green Bay waters; "I am going to burn all the ---------- Door county t-shirts I own". May the Lord bring peace to you and your family. Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
left a message on September 21, 2014:
dear Mary and family,
Dick and I will always remember the great times we had boating, especially in Door County and the Mississippi river. We remember Jim's quote after a particularly rough ride in choppy Green Bay waters; "I am going to burn all the ---------- Door county t-shirts I own". May the Lord bring peace to you and your family. Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
Heather Marten
left a message on September 19, 2014:
Mary,
Very sad to hear of Jim's passing. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I will always remember his teasing and the MAD account. Take care and remember the good times.
Heather Marten (former owner of Country Club)
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Dick Girard
left a message on September 19, 2014:
James Gehrke
Dick Girard
left a message on September 19, 2014:
James Gehrke
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Bob Zurik
left a message on September 23, 2014:
My dear Mary and family, what a distressing telephone call from you last week. Mary, I think you know what a privilege it was for me to enjoy the company of Jim on and off these past 50 years. I remember that first visit to our Virginia farm and he was so shy. Then when Deb was born I think Edith was the first to see her at the hospital, beating out Jim, and then at the house trailer. Then the visit to your little house in the back yard, then our visit shortly after you moved into your new house, the Omaha visit and then our visit back. My visit in Louisville at the street rod show in 2002, and finally the visit in 2012 to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary. You did a magnificent job caring for Jim during his bad times and that rang many bells in heaven for you. God bless you, Keri, Deb and Jim, Lee and Debbie. Till we meet again.
Bob Zurik
left a message on September 23, 2014:
My dear Mary and family, what a distressing telephone call from you last week. Mary, I think you know what a privilege it was for me to enjoy the company of Jim on and off these past 50 years. I remember that first visit to our Virginia farm and he was so shy. Then when Deb was born I think Edith was the first to see her at the hospital, beating out Jim, and then at the house trailer. Then the visit to your little house in the back yard, then our visit shortly after you moved into your new house, the Omaha visit and then our visit back. My visit in Louisville at the street rod show in 2002, and finally the visit in 2012 to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary. You did a magnificent job caring for Jim during his bad times and that rang many bells in heaven for you. God bless you, Keri, Deb and Jim, Lee and Debbie. Till we meet again.
Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
left a message on September 21, 2014:
dear Mary and family,
Dick and I will always remember the great times we had boating, especially in Door County and the Mississippi river. We remember Jim's quote after a particularly rough ride in choppy Green Bay waters; "I am going to burn all the ---------- Door county t-shirts I own". May the Lord bring peace to you and your family. Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
left a message on September 21, 2014:
dear Mary and family,
Dick and I will always remember the great times we had boating, especially in Door County and the Mississippi river. We remember Jim's quote after a particularly rough ride in choppy Green Bay waters; "I am going to burn all the ---------- Door county t-shirts I own". May the Lord bring peace to you and your family. Dick and Cheryl Mahloch
Heather Marten
left a message on September 19, 2014:
Mary,
Very sad to hear of Jim's passing. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I will always remember his teasing and the MAD account. Take care and remember the good times.
Heather Marten (former owner of Country Club)
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Dick Girard
left a message on September 19, 2014:
James Gehrke
Dick Girard
left a message on September 19, 2014:
James Gehrke
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