Louis E. Gehrke, 93, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, and formerly of Alden, Iowa, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2013, at the Heritage Care Center, Iowa Falls. Funeral services for Louis E. Gehrke will be 11:00 am Monday, June 17, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 806 Mill Street, Alden, Iowa. A time of visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at the Alden Cemetery. The Linn's Funeral Home Iowa Falls Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. 641-648-2569

Louis Elso Gehrke was born October 14, 1919, on his parents farm near Buckeye, Iowa, the son of George and Kathryn [Kampen] Gehrke. He attended country school on the corner of the next mile, walking to school with many neighbor children. He enlisted in the United States Navy on September 9, 1942 and served until January 1, 1946. He sailed seven trips from Karakas, Venezuela to England and Ireland with oil, and sailed from Brooklyn, New York to the Mediterranean Sea supporting Angio Beach head and the battles in Southern France until the war was over and then back to New York for discharge. On September 4, 1949 Louis was united in marriage to Dorothy Ann Dreifke at St. John Lutheran Church, Hubbard, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Gloria, Charlene, and Ronald. He and Dorothy farmed north of Hubbard, Iowa on his parent's farm and then in 1955 they purchased a farm 4 miles west of Alden, Iowa, retiring from farming in 1980 and moved to Iowa Falls. After family, farming was the love of his life; raising cattle, hogs, and grains. They were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Alden, Iowa. Louis was also a member of the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188, Iowa Falls.

Louis E. Gehrke is survived by his wife: Dorothy Gehrke of Iowa Falls, Iowa; his children: Gloria [Dr. George] Kappos of Ankeny, Iowa, Charlene [Larry] Hanson of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Ron [Marion] Gehrke of Alden, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jordon [Sarah] Kappos of Des Moines, Iowa, Whitney Kappos of Des Moines, Iowa, Greg Hanson of Alden, Iowa, Kevin [fiancé©; Amanda Julson of Ankeny, Iowa, Paul Gehrke and friend Tori Payne of Nashville, Tennessee; and one sister: Glenneva Reed of Mason City, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents: George and Kathryn Gehrke; two sisters: Esther Humphrey, Florence Polish; and three brothers: Wallace Gehrke, Everette Gehrke, and Cleo Gehrke.