Gordon K. EHMKE

EHMKE, FLESHER, MERKEL, GAB, ANCELET

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/17/2011 at 12:49:40

March 25, 1928 -- July 13, 2011

Eureka, SD -- The funeral service for Gordon K. Ehmke, 83, of Eureka will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2011, at Eureka United Methodist Church. The Rev. Bob Duemig will officiate. Burial will be in Eureka City Cemetery, with military graveside rites by Fred Weller American Legion Post No. 186. There will be a 7 p.m. prayer service on Sunday, with visitation from 5-7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Gordon died Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Gordon K. Ehmke, son of Edwin Roy and Mona (Flesher) Ehmke, was born March 25, 1928, in Humboldt County, Iowa. He attended country school until the sixth grade, when his family moved to Clarion, Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1945. He enlisted into the United States Navy in March of 1946 and served until 1948 as a Pharmacist Mate. He then attended Western Illinois State for one year, and then took employment with Iowa Power and Light Co. in Knoxville, Iowa. He was employed as a lineman, gas and electric serviceman for about 35 years. He was united in marriage to Betty Merkel of Eureka, SD on April 13, 1958, in Eureka Evangelical United Brethren Church. They made their home in Knoxville. In 1990, they moved to Eureka. Retirement allowed him and Betty to travel around the country, spending winter months at Bibleville in South Texas for many years. His faith in Jesus Christ was very important in his life. Since moving to Eureka, he has been a member of Eureka United Methodist Church. In Knoxville, he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent in the Knoxville Regular Baptist Church for many years. He was the Director of a very successful bus ministry that brought many children into the church. Music was also a very important part of his life. Having sung with the “Blue Jacket Naval Choir,” and Newport, RI Philharmonic. Singing, mostly solos, he has been a part of Eureka's Schmeckfest, and had the opportunity to sing in several of the churches in the area.

Gordon was one of the world's best public relations men and always made a stranger feel welcome. He loved to be with people. Coffee time was an essential part of his day. He always told people how blessed he was to have such a wonderful wife, children and grandchildren, whom he was very proud of.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; one daughter, Nona (Dale) Gab of Aberdeen, SD; two sons: John (Jennifer) Ehmke of Garland, TX and Paul (Beverly) Ehmke of Chandler, AZ; one sister, Marian (Leo) Ancelet of Warsaw, IL; one brother, Charles (Margie) Ehmke of Wichita, KS; and four grandchildren: Ben (Emily), Chris and Alex Ehmke and MacKenzie Gab.

Casketbearers will be Ben Ehmke, Chris Ehmke, Alex Ehmke, MacKenzie Gab, Les Merkel, Gary Dais and Steven Short. The organist will be Ramona Rau and there will be special music by Orene Stickelmyer. The family prefers memorial be made to Rio Grande Bible Institute, 4300 S. Business Hwy. 281, Edinburg, TX 78539-9699 or UMCOR, c/o Eureka United Methodist Church, PO Box 265, Eureka, SD 57437-0265. Carlsen Funeral Home of Eureka has been entrusted with arrangements.

Aberdeen News - Aberdeen, South Dakota
July 17, 2011