Eunice Gehrke

Eunice Elizabeth Gehrke, 90, of Mondovi, passed awy on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Chippewa Valley Hospital, in Durand,
She was the oldest child born to John and Vernie (Dienger) Roessler at St. Anne’s Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Oct. 24, 1927. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Alma.
When she was four years old, the family moved to Buffalo County. She graduated from Alma High School in 1945 and went on to attend Eau Claire Vocational School. She was employed as a pastry cook at Mount Washington Sanitarium, in Eau Claire. On Sept. 11, 1946 she was united in marriage to Erwin Gehrke. The Gehrkes farmed in the town of Modena for 27 years.
Eunice had many talents and interests and was always active in the community. She was a 4-H member and a 4-H leader of the Lucky Seven 4-H Club for many years. She was a charter member of the Buffalo County Unit of the American Cancer Society and served as Education Chairman. Eunice was a charter member of the Friendly Neighbors Homemakers Club, also serving in various capacities on the county level. As a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday School and Bible School and served as Ladies Aid President. She held numerous offices and was a delegate to the national convention of Farmers Union.
In 1962, Eunice was employed at Robinsons Flowers, in Mondovi, which the Gehrkes purchased in 1973. She graduated from American Floral Art School in Chicago in 1971. She was a bridal designer at May’s Floral, in Eau Claire. She owned Gehrke Floral and Greenhouses for 28 years until selling to her son, John. She became an FTD Master Floral Manager. In 1991, she became the first woman President of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Florist Association. For her involvement in the floral industry, she was inducted as an honorary member of Pi Alpha Xi, a horticultural honor society. Eunice was inducted into the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Florist Association Hall of Fame.
Living in Mondovi, Eunice served in various capacities for the Mondovi Business Association, Zion Ladies Aid, LWML, and committees for the city of Mondovi. For 35 years Eunice became well known as a registered fair judge for flowers and cultural arts at the county and state level.
Eunice is survived by her children, Lee (Janice) Gehrke, Fay (Donald) Stephenson, Larry Gehrke, Linda Digby, John (Mary) Gehrke, Paul (Lizabeth) Gehrke, Mark (Kathy) Gehrke; grandchildren, Shawn (Jill) Ebersold, Daniel Ebersold, Elizabeth (Daniel) Britten, Michael Digby, Matthew (Emily) Gehrke, Andrew (Molly) Gehrke, Susan (Jeremy) Jensen, Wesley Gehrke, Amanda and Alexandar Gehrke, William, Elena and Kelly Gehrke; great-grandchildren, Logan, Colin and Katie Ebersold, Izabella and Jozephine Britten, Josiah and Eli Gehrke, Emery, Torin and Luella Gehrke, Hunter, Spencer and Jasper Jensen; sister, Lila Gehrke; brother, Donald (Joan) Roessler; step-grandchildren, Christine Digby and Sharlotte Jackley; six step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years; her parents; her father and mother-in-law, Albert and Minnie Gehrke; brothers-in-law, Arnold and Edwin Gehrke; sister-in-law, Lillian Gehrke.
Her children and grandchildren were her priority in life. Education was always very important. It was her goal to have all her children have some type of postsecondary education and training beyond high school. Eunice continually wanted to learn new things herself and had that “can do” attitude. She was an artistic person who loved to do many handicrafts including knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She made over 200 elaborate wedding cakes. Cooking was also something Eunice was known for, especially her German potato salad, homemade rolls and never letting you leave her house hungry. She was always ready to have a friendly card game and was an avid Packer fan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, in Mondovi, with Pastors Matthew and Wesley Gehrke officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, in Modena. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, at Zion Lutheran Church and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home, Mondovi, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.