Warren F. Gehrke passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Richland, Washington. He was 92 years old. Warren Ferdinand Gehrke was born March 15, 1920 in Crosby, North Dakota, to John Emmett Gehrke and Anna Victoria Gehrke Stenerson. He was an only child. Warren grew up in Crosby, with cousin Wilbur Gehrke and they were like brothers. His father owned a grocery store and Warren spent his time at the store and at his uncle's farm. Warren graduated from Crosby, N.D. high school in 1938 and attended the University of North Dakota. He was employed in a department store prior to his induction into the U.S. Army in 1942. Warren served his country in the U.S Army. He entered service Feb. 1942 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, and was discharged Oct. 1945 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Like so many WW II veterans this time period probably shaped the remainder of his life. Warren went overseas, in the South Pacific in Sept. 1942. Engagements included Northern Solomon's, Luzon, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippines. Medals included 1 bronze star and a Purple Heart. After being wounded in the service of his country Warren returned to the U.S. Warren was briefly reunited with 2 men from his small home town on Bougainville Island. After the war Warren took some flying lessons and obtained a private pilot's license.
Warren and Mary Catherine Kay Naze were married Oct. 16, 1945, in Seattle, Washington. Kay was born in Jamestown N.D. They celebrated 58 years of marriage before Kay passed away in March 2004. Warren and Kay had 4 children, Jim, Jean, John, and Janet, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren at Warren's passing. He entered a retail sales and management career that lasted until retirement, in 1985. Warren, Kay, and the family lived in many states during this time period until Warren and Kay moved to Richland to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. During his final years, Warren lived in Guardian Angel Homes and was cared for with a heroic effort from his loving daughter Janet. Warren is survived by four children; Jim and Lisa Gehrke, Jean and Orrin Brewer, John and Nancy Gehrke, and Janet and Doug Ramey. Visitation will be on Monday July 23, 2012, 5-8pm at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland, WA. Services will be Tuesday morning July 24, 2012, 10AM at Einan's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice, at The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler, Richland, WA 99352 in the name of Warren F Gehrke.