DOROTHY M. (STEINKE) GEHRKING, 80, of 602 Birch St., died Monday, May 29, 2000 at Syverson Lutheran Home. She was born on August 7, 1919 in Albertville, Wisconsin to Fred and Agnes (Wahlmark) Smith and grew up on their family farm there. She graduated from Colfax High School with the class of 1937.\r\nOn December 23, 1941, Dorothy married Erick "Ira" Steinke in Eau Claire where they resided. Ira died in 1985. She married Norman Gehrking in Eau Claire on May 4, 1986. \r\nShe worked as a dietary supervisor at Luther Hospital until her retirement in the early 1980's. Dorothy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.\r\nSurvivors include her husband, Norman; seven sons, Jerome (Grace) Steinke of Opelika,AL, Dennis (Judy) Steinke of Hallie, Donald (Jean) Steinke of Altoona, Dick (Debi Frederick) Steinke, Paul (Cindi) Steinke and Charles (Mary) Steinke all of Eau Claire, James (Beverly) Steinke of Albertville; a step-son, James (Pat) Gehrking of Burnsville, MN; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a twin brother, Donald Smith of Foster; a sister, Ruby Mathison of Racine; many nieces and nephews. \r\nDorothy was also preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Shannon Steinke; a daughter-in-law Kathleen Steinke; three brothers, Fred, Les and Bob Smith; and a sister, Florence Hanke.\r\nDorothy enjoyed playing cards and family picnics at the cabin. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by all.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Rolf Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Gardens Cemetery in the town of Washington. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Friday at the church.\r\n

Service Information