Roger R. Gehrke

Roger R. Gehrke, peacefully passed away at home after a brief battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Guided by faith, beloved by family and cherished by friends, Roger embodied what it meant to be a loving husband, selfless father, grandfather, brother, friend and more. His strong, yet humble spirit of kindness, compassion and never-ending support leaves behind a legacy of dedication and enduring kindness.

One of sixteen children, Roger was born in 1941 to Alfred and Elsie (Krohn) Priewe. Raised by his aunt & uncle, Roy and Irma Gehrke in Fort Atkinson, WI, he grew up with three sisters Shirley, Marie and Linda. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960 and joined the United States Marine Corps in September of that year. Roger served his country for four years as a proud member of the Death Rattlers, Marine Fighter Squadron 323, on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier in the Pacific and Japan, servicing and repairing the jet engines on the Vought F-8 Crusader jet aircraft.

After being honorably discharged in 1964, Roger returned to Fort Atkinson to continue his lifelong service as a dedicated and faithful member of St. John’s Community Church. Starting out as a Sunday School teacher, Roger became the leader of the Young People’s League, a member of the choir, Ice Cream Social organizer, Church Council President and custodian, faithfully cleaning and maintaining the church for all to enjoy and worship in. He also served as a member of the Union Cemetery Association board for years.

St. John’s is where his relationship with the love of his life, Shirley (Kutz), started to grow and flourish. They were wed by candlelight on Halloween, October 31, 1970. Over their 54 years of marriage, they created a beautiful and enduring life together, raising their two children with faith, strength, compassion and unwavering love and support. This continued onto Roger’s grandchildren, who brought him boundless joy, happiness and pride.

After the Marines, Roger started working in construction, honing the craftsman skills that would serve him well for the rest of his life. Through his own business, Gehrke Construction & Home Improvement, he built a reputation as a talented and hardworking craftsman who stood by his work with the utmost integrity.

God blessed Roger with a beautiful voice. He sang in high school and was a member of the Fort Atkinson Men’s Chorus. Roger sang solos, performed in duets and quartets and faithfully sang as a member of the church choir.

Roger truly loved spending time with his family and friends. For years, his favorite “toy” was his Glastron boat which brought endless fun. Whether it was going to the waterparks in the Dells, riding rollercoasters at Great America, cheering on the Brewers and Badgers, cutting up the dance floor with Shirley or playing euchre, Roger cherished the time spent with loved ones. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Florida to spend time with the Kutz clan, attending his Marine reunions, going on walks and van rides with his faithful companion Maddie and heading up north to Medford to see his grandchildren play soccer.

Preceded in death by both his parents and birth parents, mother and father-in-law, brothers Robert, Richard, Gordon and Donald, sisters Eleanor, Inez, Dorothy, Mary, Alice and Linda, brothers-in-law Ken, Ken, Bill, Alan, Leland, Phil and Dean, and sisters-in-law Ethel and Barb.

Roger is survived by his wife Shirley, children Tanya and Scott, grandchildren Caden and Sierra and step-granddaughter Amelia. He is also survived by his brothers Walter (Pam), Gerald (Donna), Ralph and Bruce (Sandy), sisters Eunice, Shirley and Marie, brothers-in-law Roger and Jerry (Martha), sisters-in-law Betty, Betty, Mary and Sandy, special cousin Dave (Mary) and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends whom he thought of as family.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Roger’s memory may make donations to St. John’s Community Church or Rainbow Community Care Hospice. Assisted by Dunlap Memorial Home, visitations will be held at St. John’s Community Church in Fort Atkinson, WI on Thursday, January 2 from 3-6:30 pm and at 10 am on Friday, January 3. A Celebration of Life service will take place at 11 am. Luncheon to follow at the American Legion.

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