Dorothy A. Gehrke

Dorothy Gehrke ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Boeke Funeral Home - Radcliffe on Mar. 14, 2026.Dorothy Gehrke, age 99, of Iowa Falls, IA, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at her home in Ashbrook.Dorothy Ann (Dreifke) Gehrke was born to Carl and Anna (Goschke) Dreifke on August 17, 1926, at the home place north of Hubbard, Iowa now where Clint Miller and his family reside. She was the eldest of three children. Dorothy, Carl Jr. and Wilbert who died at birth.She attended Meeker Country School in Tipton Township where she and Carl would walk to school with their lunch boxes. She graduated from Hubbard High School in 1944.After graduation she stayed home to help her mother and brother with the farming duties. One night when she and Carl went to the Marcon Ballroom, a friend, Marlyn Kielsmeier, introduced her to Louis Gehrke. They hit it off and were married on September 4, 1949. They were married for 63 years. They made their first home in the Cottage area before moving in 1955 to a farm west of Alden where they raised their family Gloria, Charlene and Ronald.Dorothy enjoyed her flowers and vegetable gardens and baking treats for her children when they came home from school. It was always special when it was homemade cinnamon rolls or chocolate chip cookies.She was always helping on the farm, tending to her flock of chickens and washing her eggs to sell every Saturday night in Iowa Falls. Dorothy kept busy attending her children's, grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities. She especially loved the birthday parties and family reunions at Gehrke's Lake. She was proud of all of them and thankful for the blessings they brought into her life.Dorothy and Louis retired from farming in 1983 and moved to Iowa Falls and let their son Ron take over. Today their grandson Greg has resumed farming their farm.Dorothy was anchored in her Savior Jesus Christ. In her infancy she was baptized at home and confirmed in the St. John's Lutheran Church in Hubbard. Before she joined Immanuel Lutheran in Iowa Falls Dorothy belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran in Alden, for 60 years. She was active in the Ladies Aide, LWML, Alter Committee and sewed hundreds of quilt tops for the Orphan Train.She was also a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, Chat and Craft Club, Iowa Falls Women's Club and was a member of the 75 Year Club.She resided at Ashbrook Assisted Living for nine years, where she had wonderful friendships. She enjoyed her card groups, Bingo and pizza parties.She is survived by her children Gloria (Dr. George) Kappos of Ankeny, Charlene Hanson of Iowa Falls and Ronald (Marion) Gehrke of Ankeny; grandchildren Greg (Melissa) Hanson and their daughter Mara of Buckeye, Jordan (Sara) Kappos and their children Penny, Poppy and Theodore of Urbandale, Whitney (Josh) Schuhardt of West Des Moines, Kevin (Amanda) Gehrke of Ankeny, Paul (Tori) Gehrke and their children Ella and Cameron of Adel; along with many relatives and friends.Dorothy was preceded in death by her father and mother, Carl and Anna Dreifke, husband Louis, father and mother-in-law, George and Kathryn Gehrke, brothers Wilbert and Carl Jr., sister-in-law Marie Dreifke and son-in-law Larry Hanson.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.