William “Bill” S. Gehrke, age 82 of Clintonville, passed away Sunday evening, October 28, 2018 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Neenah.
William “Bill” Samuel Gehrke, son of Marvin and Alma (Behn) Gehrke, was born and raised in Clintonville. He graduated from Clintonville High school where he co-captained and lettered in basketball and track. He was an outstanding record performer in track. Highlighting his track career was when Bill became the state champion in the 880 yard run in 1954 and his repeat performance in 1955. After high school, Bill joined his sisters, Donna and Janet, in Milwaukee where he worked and attended college part-time. Initially, Bill’s interests were in conservation and natural resources; including an opportunity to work for the DNR at the Horicon Marsh. However, for love of his hometown, he came back to Clintonville to work for Urban Telephone Corporation. Bill met the love of his life Susie Haanen; and they were married a year later on October 7, 1961. Bill worked for Urban Telephone Corporation for 36 years until his retirement in 1998. Bill continued to enjoy staying fit by walking nearly every day and as a nature lover, enjoyed deer hunting with his son and grandsons, while watching them bag the big bucks on the family’s land.
He is survived by his wife, Frances “Sue”; daughters, Therese “Terri” A. Gehrke, Green Bay and Mary L. (Paul) Kruse, Green Bay; son, Daniel W. (fiancée Cheri Hahn) Gehrke, Clintonville; grandchildren: Daniel, Karly, and Logan Kruse; and Connor and Caden Gehrke; and sister, Donna (Rodney) Lauten. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters, LaVonne Hunt and Janet Kroenke.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville with Deacon Lincoln Wood officiating. Inurnment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.