Avron D. GAULKE

GAULKE, BUGE, GILLIGAN, DANIELS, LURIE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/15/2008 at 13:15:30

Wright County Monitor
13 March 2008

Avron D. Gaulke, 93, of Clarion, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008 at Wright Medical Center, Clarion. Funeral services were held Monday, March 10 at the Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational. Pastor Dennis Secrease officiated the 11 a.m. service. Military Graveside Services were presented by the VFW and American Legion Post. Burial was held at Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Avron D. Gaulke was born August 29, 1914, on the family farm near Dows, the son of Theadore W. and Sarah (Buge) Gaulke. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Dows High School in 1933. Following graduation, Avron worked on the family farm. He then moved to Sibley were he was employed as cook in his sister, Edna's and brother Lewis' restaurant. On February 3, 1941, Avron joined the National Guard and they ware activated one week later. Avron was captured and taken prisoner on February 14, 1943. After two years as a Prisoner of War, he was released in a Prisoners of War exchange. Following his discharge, Avron returned to Clarion where he was employed at the Sandwich Shop. Marianne Gilligan was having lunch there one day and the couple met. A romance started and they dated for four years before being married in 1951 at the Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational. The couple were the parents of four children.

Avron and Marianne settled in Clarion, living in the same house for 46 years. Marianne and Avron hosted many family reunions in their home. In 2001, the couple moved to the Meadows. Through the years they took a few trips, one being to Germany. Avron was employed with the United States Postal Service for 22 years, retiring in 1978. Avron was a member of the Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational and VFW. He served as the league secretary for the Wednesday night bowling leagues for 25 years.

Avron is survived by four children: David and wife, Kris of Indianola; Lorna Daniels and husband, Charlie of Hopewell, Virginia; Bruce and wife, Denise of Clarion; Brenda Lurie and husband, Rick of Arnold, Maryland; three grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a granddaughter-in-law; a great-grandson; and a step great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marianne in 2004; five brothers and three sisters.