Service Information
Nellie “Nell” Gehrke Peterson, age 79, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 30, 2024, 11:00 A.M., at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, with interment in Oakland Cemetery, Hutchinson.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, November 29, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 P.M., at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial Service will be livestreamed via https://www.gracelutheranhutch.org/
Obituary
Nell was born April 17, 1945 in Hickory, N.C. She was the daughter of Elmer and Nelie (Smith) Brittain. Nell was the ninth of ten children and has many fond memories of her large family. She was baptized in the Baptist church as a youth, and later confirmed and baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson in 1969. Nell grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and attended George Hildebran School graduating with the class of 1963. She was an avid basketball player. Upon graduation, Nell went to work in Washington, D.C. for the Federal Bureau of Investigation where she worked for J. Edgar Hoover. It was there she met the love of her life, David. They were married and later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Nell continued employment with the FBI Minneapolis field office. Later they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota where she worked for 3M and then became a stay-at-home-mom. Nell cherished those years of being at home as a mother and wife with so many wonderful memories and always felt she was blessed to be able to carry out that chosen role.
Nell was married to David E. Gehrke on September 25, 1965 in Washington, D.C. They shared 45 years of marriage and their marriage was blessed with two marvelous children, Stacy and Eric. Nell spent many years serving her community at Grace Lutheran Church, Hospice, Harmony River, Hutchinson Health, and Saturday Night Cruisers. She loved Hutchinson and promoted it as the best place in the world to live.
Nell and David enjoyed dancing, woodworking projects, traveling, especially to North Carolina and winters in Mazatlán, Mexico, and spending time at their sawmill until his passing on October 10, 2010.
She was blessed to have love come into her life again and married Robert “Bob” Peterson on June 7, 2013. They enjoyed motorcycle riding, Car Cruise-Ins, winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona, dancing, and Bingo.
Nell also enjoyed crocheting, machine embroidery, reading, Minnesota sports and NASCAR. She cherished her family time. Dinners together, baking with grandchildren, cheering at her grandchildren’s events, and family vacations were always a priority.
Nell is survived by her: husband, Bob Peterson; daughter, Stacy Messner and her husband, Keith; son, Eric Gehrke and his wife, Kari; stepdaughter, Bridget Block and her husband, Jon, all of Hutchinson, MN; grandchildren, Mitchell Messner (Sadie); Alex Messner (fiancé Jessica); Madilyn Gehrke; Morgan Gehrke; and step grandson, Ethan Block, and many other relatives and friends.
Nell was preceded in death by her first husband, David Gehrke; parents, Elmer and Nelie Brittain; father and mother-in-law Elton and Grace Gehrke; Stepdaughter, Christine VanderVoort; and 4 siblings.
Nell asks that you remember her as a loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She had strong faith in knowing that life here was temporary and that someday she would be in heaven with her Lord and Savior. Praise the Lord and thank you for this wonderful life here on earth and for eternal life in heaven. Blessed be her memory.
Judy Sladek says
Sending our sincere condolences.
Our Wednesday Coffee at Mac and Don’s won’t be the same!
Walt and Sharon Radant says
Bob, Eric, and Stacie and your families, you have our Deepest Sympathy, Nell was a special lady, she was a friend that would always say Hi. We sure will miss her in Church.
June Rutten says
Sorry to hear this news Bob. You and Bridget and family are in my prayers .
June Rutten
Donna Meyer says
Sending my sincere condolences, Beautiful Lady
Mardi Burns says
you will sure be missed but always in my heart
JoAnn Freitag says
Our sincere sympathies to your family at this difficult time.
Garey says
Sure am sorry to hear of Nells passing! She was a very nice person. Always had a smile whenever we saw her. Unfortunately, we will be out of town when her service is held.
God Bless!
Garey and Sherry Knudsen
Judy Anderson says
So sorry for your loss, Bob!!
My sincere condolences!!
Jean Nies says
My deepest sympathies to Bob and the family and friends of Nel. She was a very special woman in so many ways.
Judy Anderson says
So sorry for your loss Bob!
My sincere condolences!
Judy
Cindy Karg says
With our sincere sympathy! Todd and Cindy
Pat (Schaefer) Hackbarth says
I’m sorry to hear this on behalf of the whole “Schaefer family”. She lived kitty-corner across the street from our Grandma Laura and was a wonderful friend and neighbor to her for years and years! Rest in Peace, Nell, for a life well-lived and well-loved!
Jean Oven Elliott says
Bob and family,
Our heart goes out to you in the loss of this extraordinary woman. Her smile and personality was enviable and being around her was joyous. God is asking for the best to be angels lately. Very difficult to understand but Faith unwavering Faith is what I’m holding onto.
Our sincere sympathy and prayers.
Bob and Jeannie Elliott
Sandy Wright says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. May you find comfort in knowing Nell is with her Lord and Savior. Deepest Sympathy.
Tom Toashek says
What can be said about Nell that hasn’t already been said in the previous condolences? Not much. The smile in the picture above tells you a lot about the ladie, happy and caring and appreciative of life. She said several days ago “if heaven is anything like it is down here I’m ready.” And to some of her friends, including me, the song “Sweet Caroline” will always bring Nell to mind.
Mark Santelman (Hutch '76 grad) says
When our parents (Ken & Marcy) moved my twin-sister Mary and me to Hutchinson in 1969 because they bought the A&W, we immediately joined Grace Lutheran. There we got to meet so many legends, with Dave & Nell being two of them.
My parents would agree that Grace was filled with wonderful people. And I know that they very much enjoyed Dave & Nell, along with all the members. A special couple.
Until learning of her passing I had forgotten how much I enjoyed getting to know the Gehrkes through my years living in Hutchinson. Now I am recalling so many fond memories of her and Dave.
Blessed be her memory.
JEANNE ANNA TUMAN says
BOB, OUR SYMPATHY TO YOU AND FAMILY, SHE WILL BE MISSED.
DOUG AND JEANNE TUMAN
Pat Buske says
Bob, Stacy, and Eric.
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. My you find your peace and strength in our Lord and Savior.
Porky and Pat Buske
Randy & Margie Kirchhoff says
Bob,
We are so sorry to hear of Nell’s passing. She was always so friendly and easy to talk to. She will be missed by many.
You have our deepest sympathy.
Randy & Margie Kirchhoff
Marvel Blom says
Sorry for your loss, Bob. Nell was a very special lady. She will be missed by many.
Joann blankenhagen says
Sorry for your loss Bob, my Deepest Sympathies!
Mike and Sue Emery says
Our deepest sympathy Bob and family. We will miss her very much, She was a pleasure and a joy to be with. We consider ourselves lucky and privileged to have known her and be included amongst her many friends. RIP Nell
Lori and Brian Kaping says
To the family of Nell. We are so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace and joy in your beautiful memories
John & Janie Messner says
Hi Stacy and Eric, so sorry to hear of your mother passing thoughts and prayers to your family. We always though a lot of your parents. You and Eric all grew up with our children in the same neighborhood a great place to raise a family.