Wilbur Erwin Gehrke, a long-time resident of the town of Rushford, was called to be with his Lord on Monday, October 9, 2006. His son, Ron, was at his side when he died at Berlin Memorial Hospital.
He was born on March 5, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Meta (Sacht) Gehrke. The family moved to the Waukau area, during which time Wilbur attended the Waukau grade school. Wilbur moved with his family to a farm near Rush Lake. He attended and graduated from the Ripon High School in 1933.
Wilbur and Emma Kolpin were married on June 6, 1936, and lived in Eureka before moving to the farm on Bell School Road. Their marriage was blessed with three sons: Charles, who died in infancy, Wilbur "Bud" and Ronald.
Wilbur and Emma owned and operated their dairy farm until their retirement in 1977. Wilbur served as chairman of the Town of Rushford for twenty-five years. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Omro, and served on the Church Trustee Board.
Wilbur is survived by his wife of 70 years, Emma, and their sons, Wilbur L. (Karen) of Reedsport, Oregon, and Ronald (Nancy) of Rural Omro. His is also survived by eight grandchildren: Christopher (Lynn) of Chillicothe, Illinois, Ryan (Andrea) of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Charles, of Omro, Richard of Omro, Mark of Denver, Colorado, Andrea, Amy and Deborah, all living in Portland, Oregon. Wilbur was also blessed by his four great-grandchildren: Joshua of Denver, Colorado, William and Emily of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Evan of Chillicothe, Illinois.
Visitation will be held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 720 Jackson Ave., Omro, on Friday, October 13, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Paul Mundinger officiating. Wilbur will be laid to rest in Eureka Cemetery. Memorials appreciated to Grace Lutheran Church, Omro.