Alvin Gehrke

Alvin Robert Gehrke was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, Thursday, August 1, 2024. 

Alvin (Bud) was born May 30, 1923, in Western Township, MN to Max and Emma Gehrke. He was born, raised, and married in the Lawrence Presbyterian Church.

After attending School District 45 for 8 years, Bud started working for his dad at the age of 16. Always willing to learn and try new things, Bud and his cousin made many different things in his dad’s blacksmith shop, including a rotary self-propelled snow blower.

On October 8, 1949, Bud married his best friend, Alice Ash. Alice also grew up in and attended Lawrence Church. Together they are known to hold the record for being the longest members born, raised and married in their Church. They were blessed with four children, Bob, Fay, Dan, and Curt. 

As a family, they farmed, sold water purifiers, and Amway. Bud’s faith and love for the Lord led him to take part in a variety of missionary work. Trips to Africa, Haiti, and Gideons were a major part of his life. A total of ten 20ft storage containers filled with everything from medicine and food to tractors and motorcycles were shipped to Africa. Bud made 4 trips to Haiti where he fixed and drilled wells. As a Gideon he visited prisons, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and fairgrounds sharing the Word, handing our Bibles.

Bud lived with his family on his grandfather’s farm for 34 years, then moved to their home of 32 years at River Oaks in Fergus Falls, MN. In August of 2016 Bud and Alice moved to Pioneer Pointe. Bud later moved to Maplewood Manor and then moved in with family. Bud and Alice made many friends in each place they lived whom they also considered family. 

 Along with his parents, Alvin (Bud) is preceded in death by his wife Alice in 2019; sister, Evelyn; and in-laws. 

Alvin is survived by children, Bob (Pat) Gehrke of Elbow Lake, Fay (Tom) Ulrich of Wendell, Dan (Dawn) Gehrke of Wendell and Curt Gehrke of Wendell; 13 grandchildren, Tanya (Jon) Winter, Jade (Jen) Gehrke, Brandi (Luke) Knowles, Stefanie Jackson, Darcy (Jeremy) Jorgenson, Miah (Val) Ulrich, Josh (Heather-Georgie) Ulrich, Jen (Scott) Babcock, Danielle (Dustin) Olsen, Jesse Gehrke, Amanda Gehrke, Alisha Gehrke, Ben Gehrke, 36 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Geneva Gehrke.

Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 8, 2024 at Olson Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Fergus Falls with visitation from 11:30-1:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Clergy: Rev. Kevin Patch

Interment: Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery, at rural Wendell, at a later date.

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation, Fergus Falls, MN

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com