Elaine Annette Gehrt

Elaine A. Gehrt, age 73, of Willmar, passed away Friday evening, January 3, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, at the First Reformed Church in Willmar.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 10, at the First Reformed Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Elaine was born on March 6, 1951, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Franklin and June (Snyder) Ayotte.  She grew up in New London and attended school in New London thru 9th grade.  The family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska for 2 years.  In 1967, they moved to Willmar and Elaine graduated from Willmar High School in 1969.  Over the years, Elaine worked at Sears Robuck Company, Yogurt Plus and Rice Memorial Hospital.  In 1975, Elaine was married to Kim Bice.  They lived in the Willmar community and were blessed with two daughters, Connie and Amy.  In 1996, Elaine married her best friend and the love of her life, Kenneth Gehrt.  They also made their home in the Willmar community and she was instantly blessed with four additional children.  She was a past member of the Church of God and current member of the First Reformed Church.  Elaine enjoyed camping, working in the yard, gardening and flowers, decorating the house both inside and outside.  She also enjoyed crafts of many kinds, baking, cooking, and shopping at area garage sales and thrift stores.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth of Willmar; her six children, Paula Gehrt of Atwater, Kenneth (and Lorie) Gehrt of New London, Nicholas (and Marilyn) Gehrt of Paynesville, Connie (and Jason) Wog of Willmar, Sirena Gehrt of Atwater and Amy Carlson of Otsego; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one sister, Pam Ayotte of Willmar; besides other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Thomas "Tommy".