George J. Gehling, 85, of Grand Meadow, Minn. died Saturday, April 10, 2010 at his home of natural causes, following a short illness.
George John Gehling was born to Herman Jr. and Genevieve (Gross) Gehling on April 11, 1924 in Carroll, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and attended St. Peter and Paul Elementary in Carroll. George played an integral role in helping his mother on the farm and taking care of his 11 siblings after his dad’s death in 1943. George married Lillian Klocke on Sept. 25, 1946 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Roselle, Iowa. The couple farmed south of Carroll for four and a half years before moving to rural Grand Meadow in 1951. Together they farmed and raised their 10 children. After moving into town in 1979, George continued to farm alongside his three sons. He was a longtime member of St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of the National Farmers Organization, the A.S.C. Mower County Office in Austin; and he served on the Pleasant Valley Township Board.
George and Lillian enjoyed winters in Mesa, Ariz. and traveling together to Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, Branson, Mo., and the World’s Fair in Seattle, Wash. They participated in a Pilgrimage Church bus trip to Washington, D.C. and toured the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery and visited the Vietnam Memorial on which their son Corporal Donald A. Gehling’s name is written. George enjoyed being with his large and loving family. Farming was his livelihood as well as his hobby. He loved John Deere tractors and equipment and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and squirrels in his backyard in Grand Meadow. George’s family will always admire the depth of love he showed for his wife and best friend, Lillian.
Survivors include his loving wife, Lillian; six daughters and three sons, Mary (Gerald Claeys) of rural Grand Meadow, Patricia (Edward) McLean of Anoka, Minn., Jane (Gerald) Brogan of Grand Meadow, Georgia (Robert) Von Arx of Byron, Minn., Allan (Debra) of rural Grand Meadow, Richard “Rick” (Margaret) of rural Grand Meadow, Steven (Dorothy) of rural Grand Meadow, Barbara (Steven) Seifert of Sleepy Eye, Minn. and Cathy of Mesa, Ariz.; 43 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rita Anstoeter, Rose (Wilfred) Ocken and Sister Joann; four brothers, Edward (Lorraine) Gehling, James Gehling, Robert (Joann) Gehling, Jerry (Kathy) Gehling; sisters-in-law, Linda Gehling, Nancy (Wilfred) Hoffman, Delores (Robert) Nagl; brother-in-law, Edward (Bonnie) Rasmussen; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald, who was killed in action in Vietnam in October of 1967; sisters, Louise Schmitz and Norma Rasmussen; two brothers, Vernon and Carl; two brothers-in-law, Louis Anstoeter and Walter Schmitz; and a nephew, Joseph Gehling.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Grand Meadow with Fr. Steven Peterson and Fr. Charles Collins officiating. Friends called on Monday evening, April 12, 2010 at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Grand Meadow and may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday morning. A rosary service, led by the Knights of Columbus, took place Monday, followed by a prayer service. Burial will be at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Cemetery in rural Grand Meadow.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home, Stewartville, is in charge of arrangements.