Delores Gehrke, 91, of Brownton

Delores Gehrke, 91, of Brownton, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton with the Rev. Andrew Hermondson-Olsen officiating. Bonnie Westmiller was the organist. Soloist Rosine Hermodson-Olsen sang “In the Garden.” The Rev. Andrew and Rosine Hermodson-Olsen sang “How Great Thou Art.” Congregational hymns were “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Lead On, O King Eternal.”
Casket bearers were Steven Lenz, David Schwarzrock, James Ricke, Mark Weber, Scott Schwarzrock and Doug Johnson.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
Delores Selma (Schwarz-rock) Gehrke was born Dec. 7, 1925, in Round Grove Township, rural Brownton, the daughter of Herbert and Tillie (Borchert)  Schwarz-rock. She was baptized Dec. 26, 1925, by the Rev. George Diemer, and reaffirmed her faith through the rite of confirmation on March 17, 1940, by the Rev. Kowalske, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stewart. She received her education in Sibley County District 77.
On Oct. 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to Merrill A. Gehrke with the Rev. Victor Schmidt officiating at Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton. They were blessed with one daughter, Jerilyn. The couple resided and farmed in rural Brownton, and later moved to a townhome in Brownton in 2010. They shared 65 years of marriage before Mr. Gehrke’s death on Feb. 28, 2016.
Mrs. Gehrke was a farm wife and a homemaker. She had great pride in the family farm, and was honored when it was named a century farm in 1995. She helped with chores and raised chickens, ducks and geese. She also loved to garden. She grew beautiful flowers, and planted fruits and vegetables. Her fresh produce was canned or frozen, and also shared with family and friends. She loved to cook and bake, and was known for her delicious pies and caramel rolls. Hospitality was extended to family friends and sometimes even strangers with a home-cooked meal, or an offer of coffee and homemade treats. Playing cards also was a favorite hobby.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Brownton. She had a very strong faith, and her church community was very important to her. She loved visiting with family and friends, and told great stories from her past. She had a kind and generous spirit. She especially loved her grandsons, Ryan and Dustin. She enjoyed taking care of them when they were little, and proudly watched them grow up. Just recently, she became a great-grandmother to Hudson Lee Ricke. He was the light of her life.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jerilyn and Randy Ricke of Winthrop; grandsons, Ryan Ricke of Hutchinson and Dustin Ricke of Brownton; great-grandson, Hudson Lee Ricke of Brownton; and all whom she considered her honorary family, especially Jim and Connie Ricke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill Gehrke; and parents, Herbert and Tillie Schwarzrock.
Arrangements were with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com [1].