Service Information
Donna Mae Gehrke, age 86, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at her home in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be Monday, March 10, 2025, 11:00 A.M., at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, with interment in Glencoe City Cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 9:00-11:00 A.M., two hours prior to the service at the church.
Obituary
Donna Mae Gehrke was born on August 7, 1938, in her parent’s home in Rich Valley Township. She was the daughter of George and Mathilda (Kroells) Huepenbecker. Donna was baptized as an infant on September 11, 1938, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Glencoe and was confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 6, 1952, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Peace in Glencoe. Donna was educated in Glencoe and graduated from Stevens Seminary Glencoe High School in 1956.
On May 12, 1962, she was united in marriage to Norman Gehrke at Church of Peace in Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Janet, Barbara, and Sandra. The couple lived in Brownton for a year and then moved to Hutchinson. They moved to Lake Marion in 1965. They shared 53 years of marriage until Norman passed away on December 26, 2015. Donna moved to The Community of Lake Ridge in Hutchinson in 2017.
Donna started at 3M and later Brownton Elementary School where she was a secretary. She later furthered her education and was employed by McLeod County Social Service as a case aid. She retired in 2000.
Donna was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, where she enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. She was also involved in several groups, including the United Methodist Women (UMW) and the women’s quilting group. Donna was a talented quilter and seamstress, getting many compliments on her beautiful quilts and making clothes that looked like store bought. She made pajama pants each year for her grandkids and one year she made them all matching pants including one for herself. She was a member of the Brownton PTA. Donna enjoyed playing cards and was a bridge player in numerous groups over the years. She enjoyed socializing with the Lake Ridge Community for coffee, social hours and evening fireside chats and taking part in the completion of many puzzles, especially the challenging parts. In her later years, she would have puzzles set up throughout the winter in her home. She also enjoyed her gardens at her home at Lake Marion.
Donna was a Proud Grandma. She loved spending time with her grandkids and supporting them by attending numerous athletic and musical events. She loved spending time up north at Sherwood Forest and traveling over the US and Europe with Norm, the girls, all the family and friends. She cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends.
She passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at her home in Hutchinson.
Donna’s kindness, creativity, and devotion to her family and friends will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
She is survived by her:
Daughters, Janet and husband Don Popelka of Glencoe,
Barbara and husband Arlen Marcus of Woodbury,
Sandra and husband Dave Harder of Burnsville;
Grandchildren Katie Marcus and fiancé John Jacobson, Jacob Popelka and fiancé Sophie Mixa, Allison Marcus, Laura Popelka, Rebecca Harder, Matthew Harder;
Siblings Loren Huepenbecker Sr., Bernette Dallman, Harold and Kathy Huepenbecker;
Sister-in-law Betty Miller;
Many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Norman Gehrke; parents George and Mathilda Huepenbecker; brothers Gerhard Huepenbecker and George Huepenbecker Jr.; Sister-in-law Edna Huepenbecker.
Cindy Karg says
Janet and Family, I wish you strength in this journey of sorrow with the loss of your beautiful Mom. May all the wonderful memories you all shared fill your hearts. With sincere sympathy!! Cindy & Todd
Joanne Revoir says
Sandy, You have our prayers and sincere sympathy. Such a sad time for you. May God surround you with many loved ones.
Lynn Miller says
I was so surprised when I saw her obituary-didn’t expect this so soon. I feel the hurt you’re going through. Try to keep in mind that she’s in a happy place and with your dad. She enjoyed the travels you girls did with her. Bless you and your families
Jan Klabunde says
My Sympathy to your family at this time. May God give you the strength during this sad time. Warren and I are sending our prayers to all of the family. We had many years of great times together as friends. Take care.
Joyce Hochsprung says
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was so kind and helpful to me when I started teachingin Brownton. Terry and I send our deepest sympathy. Joyce and Terry Hochsprung
Renae McKimm says
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and praying for comfort in the many great memories you have with your Mom.
Val Roepke Uecker says
My Sincere Sympathy to the Gehrke Family. Enjoyed Donna as she was also a member of the”Red Hats”. A very sweet, kind gal….she will be missed. Sending love and prayers during this sad time. God will give you strength to endure . Blessings to the family. Val
Lea Ette Peters says
I have fond memories of going to social events with your parents in the past. After our husbands passed away so close together, we had some nice telephone conversations and an occasional outing. Your mom was an attractive, pleasant person with a cheerful smile and was a good listener. She enjoyed sewing those matching pajama’s for your family at Christmas and LOVED her three daughters and the trips you took together. She was
a special person and friend. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Kim & Lowell Pearson says
Sending our sympathy to all of you. Donna was such a kind and caring woman. May all the wonderful memories help you through this.
Barbara Lamp says
Sending our deepest sympathies to Donna’s family. We have know Donna and Norm for many years, going way back to being neighbors when they lived across the road from Lake Marion. I admired the long time friendship they had with their group of friends from high school. We’d see them at saddle club events at times too. Then I became their grandson’s, Jacob, kindergarten teacher. The most recent connection was last April at Abbott Hospital when we “accidentally” met up in the sun room. Both Dave and Donna were patients there. It felt like a miracle, that her daughters happened to be in the visiting room with Donna, the same time Dave and I walked in. We all hugged and the staff seemed so surprised we knew each other. So many wonderful memories and connections with Donna and her family. Her smile, pleasant personality and love for life will be greatly missed.
Bruce and Jackie Rosenow says
Our sympathies to Janet, Barb, and Sandy. Giving you cousin hugs! Donna was not only a loving and caring Aunt, she was a dependable Lake Marion neighbor! We helped each other out, but
I especially remember the car ride I gave Donna to the Hutchinson hospital in the Ford Falcon. Fond memories! She will be missed by many!
Bethalee Klopfleisch says
Sending love and peace to your family. I have such good memories of being friends with your mom. We shared so many connections with our kid’s activities , church, working at school, bridge group and having gatherings as couples. Your parent’s wedding dance was a very special memory , it was the first time Glen had brought me to Brownton to meet friends and family. I share your grief, but know that your mom is in God’s loving care. We can be thankful our life is filled with such wonderful friends.
Sylvia Bunke says
You have my sympathy in the passing of your Mother. Cheryl , Kevin and Greg sends their sympathy too. But can’t get away from their jobs. Take care and God’s blessings to all the family.
Barbara Bussler Bumgardner says
Janet, Barbara & Sandra…you have our deepest sympathy as you travel this road of grief and sadness. The memories of your mom during 4-H and school years will always be held dear. The legacy she leaves you is amazing and will continue on in your families. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you in the days ahead.