Beatrice S Gehrke

Beatrice S. Gehrke, age 87 of Hillsboro, ND and formerly of Park River and Adams, North Dakota passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the Hillsboro Medical Center of Hillsboro, ND. Beatrice S. Fuhrmann was born October 21, 1925 in Lastrup, MN the daughter of the late Otto and Anna (Preiner) Fuhrmann. She attended schools in Lastrup and Pierz, MN. Beatrice was united in marriage to Harvey R. Gehrke on October 30, 1945 in Lastrup. The couple lived and farmed near Adams, ND. She worked as a cook at the Adams Public School, the Chuck Wagon Café and the Good Samaritan Centers of Park River and Osnabrock, retiring in 2004. In 2006 she moved to Park River and in 2007 she moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota. Beatrice was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Altar Society. She loved to cook and play bingo, but especially loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Beatrice is survived by her children: Barbara (Sheldon) Ellefson, Park River, ND and Richard (Nancy) Gehrke, Hillsboro, ND, six grandchildren: Wendy (Chad) Arendt, Lisa Ellefson, Lara Ellefson, Justin (Shari) Gehrke, Julie (Chip) Hanson, & Joy (Kevin) Ackerman; ten great grandchildren: Shelby & Carter Arendt, Ashley & Jayse Fontaine, Janessa, Krista and Kloe Ackerman, Ray & Marlie Hanson and Trey Gehrke; sisters: Lila Wickham, Staples, MN; Elie (Dick) O'Donnell, St. Paul, MN; Lois (David) Plante, Fort Ripley, MN; sister-in-law, Florence Lykken, Walhalla, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harvey on April 5, 1991, brothers: Ervin, Joseph and Charles and sisters: Bernadine Cremers, Doreen Valentine, Edith Gnahn and Teresa Keehr. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Park River. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at West Adams Cemetery, rural Adams, ND.