James Gehrke

James “Jim” John Gehrke, 74, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was born on December 17, 1939, to the late John and Lillian Gehrke, and he resided in Appleton. Jim graduated from Appleton High School in 1959 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army before retiring from the Banta Company.

To our loving father, husband, brother, and friend, we have enjoyed many a good meal together, laughed with you at your stories, cried with you in sorrow and joy, and most of all loved each other.

Thank you to the many family and friends that have made his life journey so full of all that he loved and enjoyed. From a young age his passion was hot rod cars. A great childhood memory his brother shared was that as a youngster, he would watch him for hours cut out pictures of cars and save them in a photo book. He had a few hot rods and enjoyed going and participating in parades and car shows. He rarely missed a Saturday to “go to out to the shop to see the boys,” reminisce, talk smart, and make new stories. Jim was loved dearly by his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Gehrke; daughters, Debra (James) Hull and Keri Gehrke; brother, Leland (Debbie) Gehrke; nephew, John (Sarah) Gehrke; and niece, Michelle (Bryan) Porto. He is further survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter (Pat) Vosters, Mark (Mary Kay) Vosters, Ken (Lou Ann) Vosters, Rose Lamine, Vern (Judy) Vosters, and Gerry Vosters; many special godchildren, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral liturgy for Jim will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014, at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the American Heart Association.