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Mary Catherine Gehrke
05/21/1920 — 03/26/2004
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Jamestown, North Dakota
Mary Catherine Gehrke
Mary Catherine Gehrke, affectionately known to family and friends as Kay passed from the loving arms of her family into the loving arms of the Lord on March 26, 2004. She was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, May 21, 1920 to Joseph and Mary Naze. She was the second born in a family of seven children. She married Warren F. Gehrke on October 16th, 1945 and celebrated 58years of marriage. Along the way they had four children, 6 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She spent many years working in secretarial jobs but the love of her life was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was always the hostess and could turn any get together into a grand party. Nothing gave her greater joy than putting on a fine meal for family and friends. She loved to hand sew and often made lovely tablecloths and napkins that were her signature mark when entertaining. She and Warren spent many years living in many states along the way, but they always opened up their home to family and friends and we all remember how all the kids on the block would be at our home. When she and Dad retired they moved to Richland to be nearer to their children and grandkids. They have so many wonderful friends all across the country; their Christmas card list is staggering. So much could be said about her generosity and plates of cookies to shut in friends and neighbors. She will be missed dearly by her family, but forever loved. Kay was a member of Christ the King and loved Leisure Club and the Grandmother's birthday luncheon group where she met the most special of friends.
She is survived by her husband Warren, four children; Jim and Lisa Gehrke, Jean and Orrin Brewer, John and Nancy Gehrke, and Janet and Doug Ramey; grandchildren Andy and Cresenda Gehrke, parents of great-grandchild Sean, Zachary Gehrke, Jennifer Brewer, Mark Brewer, Heather Ramey and Erik Ramey, sisters Helen, Liz, Jo, and Jeanne. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary Naze, two brothers, oldest Donald Naze and youngest Chuck Naze.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Christ the King Leisure Club, 1126 Long Ave. Richland, WA 99352 or Tri Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108W, Entiat, Kennewick, W A 99336.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Tuesday March 30th at Einans Funeral Home with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00pm on Tuesday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday March 31st at Christ the King Catholic Church followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.
We were very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our hearts are with you in this difficult time.
Kay was my oldest sister whom I loved dearly for her humor, wit, and fairness. I am going to miss not visiting with her but will never forget the times we had together. My prayers will never end.
Warren and family,
We want you to know we are praying for peace and comfort in your lives right now. Thankyou for letting us rub shoulders with Kay and it has been a pleasure getting acquainted with your family. Our one regret is we didnt get to know Kay as well as we would have liked to. We send our sympathy and love.
Lonna and Court and the girls
My thoughts and prayers are with John, Nancy and the Gehrke family in their time of loss.
“Kay”
By Erik Ramey
She was a special friend;
The kind that will always hold your hand,
Who would put a cookie in each fist,
To go with the one already in your mouth.
She was the type of person
Who would go to a neighbor
In dire need of a friend
And cook them a home cooked meal.
This was the individual
Proud of their Irish,
Proud of her family,
Proud of her faith in the Lord,
And proud of her grandchildren.
She was the woman
Who made her husband
Feel so extraordinary
For seeing she was the greatest
Woman in the world.
She was the grandma
That stuffed your belly
With hot buttery popcorn,
Who played games your way
Unless it was Scrabble,
Which meant all bets were off.
She was the mom
Who made you donuts
So you could sneak off with one on each finger,
The mommy that took you skating
On the lovely and sleek ice,
The mother who tucked you in at night.
Here was the hostess
That put on the most
Elegant
Feasts
That you ever saw.
This was the Faithful
That gave Him all she could,
Was eager to share His love,
And conveyed the message of the Lord
In her everyday life.
She was the human being
Who became your best friend,
Cared for you at all times in her life,
And loved every minute she was with you.
This is Kay.
This is her legacy.
This is the celebration
Of her life.
Grandma was a wonderful person, but I will cherish her memories and take what she taught me in life and apply it to be a better person.
John and Nancy—sorry to read about your loss. Both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Guestbook for
Mary Catherine Gehrke