Mildred Clara Gehrke

Mildred Clara (Kohls) Gehrke passed away on Monday, August 5, 2024 at age 95. She had resided at The Legacy of Herington for the last 3 years. She was born on August 2, 1929 to Clara and Henry Kohls. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Herington. She attended the St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated Herington High School in 1947. She married Milton C. Gehrke on September 25, 1949. They were married for 72 years prior to his passing December 2021.They had a daughter Jolene who was born October 1950 in Herington. They lived in Herington prior to moving to Ulysses, Kansas in 1952 where Milton (Milt) worked in the alfalfa irrigation fields. He later owned the Standard Station and Mildred did the bookkeeping. Their son David was born in Ulysses January 1955. In 1960 the family moved to Salina, Kansas for one year and moved back to Herington in 1961 where they lived on a farm west of town. In 1971, they purchased a farm south of Herington.Mildred (Mickey) worked many jobs over the years. She worked part time at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina and also worked part time at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Herington. She worked full time at Welch Manufacturing, worked at USD 487 for several years and co-owned The Fabric Cottage for a few years and finished her career working for the Mettlen's Accounting Firm. She was a great seamstress, making clothes for her daughter since she was little, her half sisters and other friends and family. She was a great cook and shared many of her recipes with her family.Mildred’s parents Clara and Henry had been married before with each losing their spouses at an early age. Clara had 3 children, Ed, Elsie and Dorothy and Henry had 6 children, Selma Elda, Bob, Walter, Esther and AnnaMarie. After Clara and Henry married they had a son Henry, Jr. who died in a drowning accident on August 4, 1928 at age 16 months. Milt and Mickey enjoyed traveling and took many trips while living in Western Kansas to Colorado, New Mexico and South Dakota. Later in life they took trips with friends to Branson,Table Rock, Las Vegas and California. Many of their family members lived in California. They enjoyed family dinners, playing cards, celebrating their anniversaries and loved to dance. She and Milt made many long lasting friends and traveled with many of them over the years. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant everything to them and supported them always in many ways. She will be deeply missed.Mickey and Milt’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was an integral part of their lives, often making lasting friendships with many ministers, their wives and family over the years, They were both deeply involved in establishing a Lutheran Church in Ulysses and held services at the 4-H building.Preceding her in death is her husband Milton, her parents Clara(Neis) Brockmeier Kohls and Henry Kohls, full brother Henry Kohls, Jr., half sisters Elsie(Harry) Schlesener, Dorothy(Melvin) Weber, Selma(Charlie) Wendt, Elda(Jim)Deatwiler, Esther(Gerald) Eddy, AnnaMarie(Maurice) Roberts, half brothers Ed(Lucille) Brockmeier, Bob(Irma) Kohls, Walter(Arbutus) Kohls.Mildred leaves behind her daughter Jolene(Aaron) Werner, Alta Vista, son David (Rita) Gehrke, Herington, Grandchildren Ashley(Adam) Tyner, Wamego, Beau(Kelcey) Werner, Dwight, Lauren Gehrke, Spring Hill, Mitchell(Jessica) Gehrke, Herington. Great Grandchildren Dylan, Kaden and Hudson Tyner, Wamego, Alysia Werner, Dwight and Brooks Gehrke, Herington and a Brother-in-Law, Clarence Gehrke, Herington and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 12 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 114 N 8th Street, Herington with the Visitation at 10AM, the Funeral service at 11:00AM and the Burial service following at Sunset Cemetery. In leiu of flowers, memorials can be sent or given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Herington in care of Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, KS 67449. The Yazel-Megli Funeral Home is serving the family. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory at www.yazelmeglifh.com.