Paul Walter Gehrke, 82, of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at his home. He was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin to Walter and Avis (Ebert) Gehrke on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1923. He grew up in Menomonie and graduated from Menomonie Senior High in 1940. His college years were interrupted for service in World War II with the Navy Air Corps. He was commissioned an Ensign with Navy Wings on September 19, 1945, and remained in the Naval Reserve until his honorable discharge on November 27, 1953.Paul married Betty Kramschuster at his parents' home in Menomonie on December 21, 1946. He graduated from Stout State University in December of 1946 and immediately began his career in education, teaching woodworking at the Eau Claire Junior High. He then moved to Central Junior High as the Dean of Boys followed by the position of Curriculum Coordinator at North Junior High. Paul became principal of North Junior High in 1966 and opened DeLong Junior High as it's first principal in 1972, retiring from DeLong in 1980 after 34 years in education with the Eau Claire Public Schools. He was an active charter member of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 16 years. Paul's special talent was to work with his hands; he had a well-earned reputation among his family and friends for his abilities to build, repair, and create things, and he put these talents to use on many occasions. Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty; two sons Robert (Juelie Sires) of Eau Claire and Peter (Carol) of Waupaca, WI.; two daughters, Paula (Gary) Thompson of Eau Claire and Karen (Paul) Holverson of Ottawa, IL. Paul took great pride in his nine grandchildren; Benjamin, Abigail, and Molly Thompson; Alissa, Amy, and Sarah Holverson; and Melanie, Allison, and Samantha Gehrke. He is further survived by a sister, Jean (Frank) Shadewald of Muscoda, WI; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie (Robert) Lee of Siren, WI. and Mona (Harold) Ottoson of Annandale, VA; a brother-in-law, Dale Hight, of Oconomowoc, WI.; as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Louise Hight; and a niece, Sue Ann Soderberg. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2005, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Pastor John E. Hosmann officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Augusta, WI where Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion, Post #53. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to The American Cancer Society, 2427 N. Hillcrest Pkwy. Suite 7, Altoona, WI 54720 or to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1120 Cedar St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

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