Hanne L. Gillman

Obituary

Hanne “Lore” Gillman was born on September 5, 1936, in Ortelsburg, Germany. She was the daughter of Hans and Augusta (Czarnowski) Kempka. She received her education in Herborn, Germany, and furthered her education with one year of Business School. Lore immigrated to the United States in 1957 at the age of 21.

Lore married her first husband, Robert Nelson, in 1965. Robert passed away three years later. On September 21, 1970, Lore was united in marriage to Robert Gillman at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Brian and Brice. Lore and Robert made their home in Dassel, Minnesota. They shared 19 years of marriage until Robert passed away on April 14,1989.

Lore was the owner and CEO of Porta-Dock Inc. in Dassel. She created a lifelong legacy for her sons and their families, along with our employees and Dealer network across the Mid-West and up into Canada. Her tenacity, determination, and strong will carried her through life and the challenges she faced. Lore’s name, “Mrs.G”, at Porta-Dock carried a strong, heartfelt meaning, and she was so full of pride for what Porta-Dock and the people who helped build it brought to her. Her biggest joy, and what she was most well-known for, was being the best “Nanna’ and “Oma” you ever met.

Lore enjoyed sewing, crocheting, tending to her vegetable garden, and taking bus tours all over the country on her travels. Her favorite activities with her grandkids were coloring Easter eggs, playing games like Uno, sleep overs, dressing up for Halloween and seeing all the kids dressed up, decorating, and cooking great meals for the Holidays and creating lasting family traditions. Lore also enjoyed music and dancing. Her favorite activity in the fall was harvesting and canning her vegetables along with making sauerkraut, which helped keep her German traditions alive in America. Lore was fond of the times she was able to travel to Germany so her children could visit their grandparents, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. She was also happy when her parents came to the United States to visit. Lore had a great sense of humor and loved jokes. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

The farm, and neighborhood “Fort”, was the place where everyone was welcome, young and old. The boys’ friends and relatives called it their second home and called her their second mom. She remained on the farm for quite some time after Robert passed away. She would quote John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have ever lasting life”

Lore passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Cokato Manor in Cokato, Minnesota, at the age of 89 years.

Blessed be her memory. Ich Liebe Dich Oma.

Lore is survived by her:
Sons, Brian Gillman and his wife, Dawn of Dassel, MN,
Brice Gillman and his wife, Chantel of Darwin, MN;
Grandchildren, Claire Gillman, Olivia Gillman, Eli Gillman, Monte Gillman, Molly Gillman, Gaven (Molly) Gillman, Isabella (Noah) Halonen;
Great-grandson, Kane Halonen;
Many other relatives and friends.

Lore is preceded in death by her Parents, Hans and Augusta Kempka; First Husband, Robert Nelson; Husband, Robert Gillman; and Sister, Ilse Mueller.