Walter "Walt" Lee Gehrke

Walter "Walt" Gehrke, 87, of Willow Lake, passed away on January 10, 2024, at Avantara Clark.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Furness Funeral Home in Clark, beginning at 11:00 a.m.  A time of fellowship and lunch will immediately follow the service at the Ullyot Building community room.  Burial will follow lunch at Collin's Cemetery in Willow Lake, South Dakota.  Visitation will be held the evening prior, Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Furness Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Walter Gehrke was born on January 11, 1937, to Albert A. and Ruth (Thorne) Gehrke at the family farm in Willow Lake, South Dakota.  Throughout his youth, Walt attended school at Collins Country School through the 8th grade, and attended Willow Lake High School for a year before returning to the family farm to help his father.  On August 26, 1956, Walt was united in marriage to Delores Lamb, and the couple were married for over 68 years.  Walter was born on the Gehrke family farm and lived and farmed there all his life, except a few years after he and Delores were married.  Walt worked for years loading hay and working at various construction jobs until starting his custom hay moving business that he worked at for over 50 years.  Walt enjoyed hauling hay, but he absolutely loved his customers.  Walt served on the Collins township board for over 25 years, working to continually improve his community.

In 1969, Walt attained his pilot's license.  Over the years Walt owned several different planes, and enjoyed arial hunting foxes and coyotes.  Walt continually kept busy with the farm and his business, but when he did have free time, he cherished time waltzing with Delores.  Gunsmoke, old westerns, and watching John Wayne films were among Walt's favorite pastimes.  In his later years as he was able to slow down, Walt spent many afternoons taking drives in the country with his beloved dog, Sadie.  Walt will be remembered as a hardworking man who provided for his family.  He was kind, caring, and giving, often giving more than he would ever receive in return.

Walt is survived by his wife, Delores; children: Vickie (Larry) Dreher, Cindy (Mark) Borg, Brian (Patty) Gehrke, and Glenn Gehrke (Peggy Jennings); grandchildren: Doug (Heidi) Gehrke, Melissa (Tim) Smith, Cassie (Kyal) Auch, Amy Dreher, Ashley (Adam) Borg, and Greg (Liz) Noethlich; great-grandchildren: Ian, Bennett, and Lincoln Smith, Brianne and Gabby Noethlich, Cole (Karli Marts), Madison, and Maryssa Gehrke, McKenna, Gavin, Jax, and Trayson Auch, and Wesley, Gracie, Kylie, and Avery Borg; step-grandchildren: Cassie (Mark) Hafner, and Brittany (Angel) Borg; step-great-grandchildren: Preston and Scarlett Hafner, and Luca and Ruby Aybar-Borg; siblings: Joyce (Roy) Brothers, and Marilyn (Rich) Grable; siblings-in-law: Marlene Lamb, Garald (Vergean) Harms, and Marge Rhode; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog Sadie.

He is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Ruth Gehrke; siblings: Fern Carroll, Lila Haug, Alan Gehrke, and Harold Gehrke; son, Douglas Ray Gehrke; granddaughter Jessica Noethlich; and great-grandson Joshua Borg.