Donaldeen "Donnie" Hovland Gehring, 79, a life long resident of Shawtown in Eau Claire died Sunday, June 12, 2005, at Dove Healthcare where she had resided for a brief time. She was born in Eau Claire on August 24, 1925, the daughter of Andrew and Hattie (Giebel) Hovland. She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School and then attended Eau Claire Teachers College. \r\nDonnie married Arnold D. Gehring in Eau Claire on July 17, 1948.\r\nGrowing up she was a participant and state champion with the Flying Eagles Ski Club and followed the club throughout her life. She was later inducted into the Eau Claire Ski Club Hall of Fame. \r\nDuring World War II, Donnie lived in Washington D.C., where she worked for the Pentagon. She worked many years at Lasker Jewelers until her retirement.\r\nShe was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. Donnie was involved with the Service League for many years.\r\nShe celebrated the academic and athletic successes of her six grandchildren, and enjoyed attending their activities at North High School.\r\nSurvivors include her two sons, David (Roxanne) Gehring and Richard (Linda) Gehring both of Eau Claire; six grandchildren, Matthew, Nathan, and Meghan Gehring of Eau Claire, Melissa (Erik) Bennett of Beaver Dam, Kristen Gehring of Madison, and Jason Gehring of Eau Claire; and nieces and nephews.\r\nDonnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold; and four sisters, Mildred Lasker, Beatrice Lundquist, Dorothy Lord, and Geraldine Klein.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2005, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nHer family requests memorials be directed to the Flying Eagles Ski Club, 1805 Menomonie St., Eau Claire, WI 54701.\r\n

Service Information