Aletha Clara Gacke

Aletha Clara Gacke, age 92, of Sibley, IA, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at home surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 17, 2025, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Sibley with Father Siby Punnoose as celebrant.

Burial will follow at St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley on Sunday, November 16th with the family present. Rosary will be at 4:30 p.m.

Letha was born March 21, 1933, in Ashton, IA, to John and Marie (Johannes) Niichel of Ashton. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Ashton, graduating in 1951. Letha's dream after graduation was to go to Virginia and work for the FBI. That dream was crushed when her mother put her foot down saying, "That's the First Place to Be Bombed!" Letha settled for a bookkeeping position at Sibley State Bank!

She was introduced to her future husband, Ronald Gacke, by his sister, Lorraine Gacke. Letha and Lorraine lived in the same rooming house. On May 1, 1954, they were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton.

After living in town for almost a year after their marriage, Ron and Letha moved to the Gacke farm place southwest of Sibley. To say the place was overgrown would have been an understatement! Letha, being a hard worker, took a hatchet and attacked every inch of that overgrowth until it was cleared! Her Dad would joke, "I Couldn't Even Find a Stick to Chase a Hog With!"

Letha and Ron were blessed with 3 children, Denise, Patrice, and Kim. The heartbreak of Letha's life was the loss of her youngest son, Douglas, at birth.

Letha was the quintessential farm wife. Canning, freezing chickens and corn, and helping with chores, to mention a few, as well as being an excellent, self-taught cook. She would ask Ron, "Is it good?" and his response, "Well, I'm eating it aren't I."

She looked forward to the Clay County Fair every year, helping with the hogs and loved taking in all the Fair had to offer! Letha's thumb was a brilliant shade of green! She passionately tended to her vegetable garden, yard, and had the most beautiful flower beds. Letha was also an excellent seamstress, sewing her own clothes, her children's, and taking on the task of sewing the nuns' garments when they changed from long habits to shorter skirts.

Letha enjoyed playing the organ for hours on end, crocheting, quilting, and playing cards. She also loved painting ceramics, gifting her children one -year with beautiful hand-painted Old World Santas. They are treasured!

When Letha's children were a little older, she started an upholstery and drapery business with her sister, Jeannie, followed by waitressing at Tony & Mary's in Sibley, and later taking a position at Country View Manor which led to becoming the Dietary Supervisor.

Letha was a life-long member of The Catholic Daughters of America, and St. Andrew's Guild. She was a devout Catholic her entire life. Her faith in God never faltered even in the most difficult times! She was fortunate to see two Popes in her lifetime, Pope John Paul II in Des Moines, IA, and Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Rome, and had the privilege of attending Sunday mass at St. Peter's Basilica. She also traveled throughout the United States with her family.

What meant most to Letha was her wealth of friends and family, the crowning glory being her 5 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way. She was happiest when spending time with them, whether attending sporting events, school concerts, birthdays, holidays, playing games, or fish frys at the farm. Wonderful, lasting memories were made with Grandma to hold in everyone's hearts!

After 39 years on the farm, Letha and Ron moved to town in 1993. Living next door to the funeral home, Letha would say, "When I Die, They Won't Have Far to Come and Get Me!"

Letha maintained grace, faith, and strength while enduring years of physical pain and losing most of her eyesight. In the final weeks of her life, Letha needed round the clock care from her children, with the help of Hospice nurses and aides.

Those left to cherish Letha's memory are her children, Denise Christensen, Pat (Michael) Hagan, and Kim (Mary) Gacke. Her grandchildren, Laura McElroy; Joe (Missy) McElroy; Tom (Becky) Gacke; Sara (Brian) Strouth; and Andy (Alyse) Gacke. Her great-grandchildren, Melanie (fiancé Gabe Wielbrenner and son and daughter Ayden and Ivy Wielbrenner) McElroy; Taylor (partner Evan Sherman... soon to welcome a daughter, Dixie Rose) McElroy; Regan McElroy; Cole (Kaylee Crowl) Gacke, Merrick Gacke, and Macy Gacke; Brooke Hatting and Erin Hatting, CJ Strouth, Jaidyn (Alijah Schomer and daughter, Ariss and soon to welcome a daughter, Waverly Schomer) Strouth; and Alex Strouth; Hailey Gacke and Ryker Gacke; one sister, Jeannie Helmers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Letha was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Ronald Gacke, infant son Douglas, her parents John and Marie Niichel, two brothers Merlyn and Glen, infant sister Marlene, and numerous relatives and friends.

Blessed Be Letha's Memory!

The family of Letha Gacke invites everyone to join them in the fellowship hall for refreshments following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to Aletha’s favorite charities.