Richard Gehrke

Richard “Dick” Gehrke, 69, passed away Jan. 2, 2015, with family by his side.

Dick was born in Cass Lake, Minn., on Jan 3, 1945, to Albert and Dorothy Gehrke. He graduated from high school in Cass Lake and married Marlyce Dahl in 1969. Their two children were born in Wadena, Minn.  

He visited 30 different states as a long-haul driver for Cenex before moving to Montana in 1977. Dick then went to work at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. on Jan 18, 1978, until he retired on Oct 10, 2000.

While living on McGregor Lake, he enjoyed volunteering for the Marion Fire Department. Some of his favorite activities were getting out in the woods, camping, fishing, hunting and woodturning. He found great pleasure in sharing these activities with his son and grandson. He made many friends in Montana and enjoyed visiting with them.

He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, stepdad, a sister and a brother.

Dick is survived by his wife Marlyce; daughter Vicki Wirkus and husband Dave; son Dennis Gehrke; grandson Jayden Wirkus; granddaughter Chantell Gutierrez, of Oregon; sister Gloria Loos and husband Mike, of Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He has been cremated. Services will be held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on Friday, Jan 9, 2015, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Home Options hospice.