Larry Dean Gehrke, age 67 of Isanti, passed away March 7, 2025 at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming. Honoring Larry’s wishes, no services will be held. Cards of condolences may be sent to: The Gehrke Family, PO Box 137, Isanti, MN 55040.
Larry Dean Gehrke of Isanti, passed away in his sleep at Fairview Lakes hospital in Wyoming, MN, on March 7, 2025 at the age of 67.
On December 11, 1957, Larry was born to DelRoy Sr. and Patricia Gehrke at Hibbing General Hospital in Hibbing, MN. The family would later move to Minneapolis before moving to the St. Francis area. Larry grew up on a farm doing the regular farm & field chores alongside his five brothers and one sister. He attended the St. Francis schools and joined the wrestling team before graduating in 1976. Upon graduation, Larry moved to Hibbing, MN and went to work for Eveleth Taconite. He remained there for approximately 12 years, many of which were spent driving a 110-ton haul truck. After a massive lay-off, he returned to the St. Francis area and worked for a few years for Ken Carlson’s Disposal & Recycling Service as a truck driver, he enjoyed the job and the customers that he served. He would meet Paulette and they were married on October 14, 1989. They were blessed with two children, daughter, Ashley in 1990 and son, Blaze in 1992. He was a great Dad and role model to his kids, always finding time to play or lend them a hand as they grew older and left home to start a new chapter in their lives. He was a supportive, caring, and faithful husband through the great times and the challenging times as well. Larry was always a pillar of strength & support and a voice of reason. Larry became a commercial roofer in 1996. His employment began & ended at Central Roofing Company in Fridley, with a few stops at other roofing companies in-between. In 2018, he suffered significant and multiple injuries due to a fall from a roof which ended his career.
Over the years, Larry enjoyed spending time with his family, his siblings, riding his Harleys and doing woodworking & remodeling projects throughout the home. He loved taking road trips and took several, covering many states each time.
Larry will be greatly missed by his wife of 34 years, Paulette, along with his daughter, Ashley of Isanti and his son, Blaze of Roman Forest, Texas.
He is survived by his mother, Patricia Gehrke of St Francis; his sister, Susan (Ronney) Kowalsky of Chisholm and brothers, Greg of St. Francis, Mark (Carol) of Isanti, Ken of Isanti, DelRoy Jr. (Susan) of Isanti and Wayne (Valerie) of East Bethel. He is also survived by many, many relatives and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, DelRoy Gehrke, Sr.; grandparents, Fritz & Clara Gehrke and Merle & Esther Niedermeier; as well as his father and mother-in-law, Ken & Bonnielu Carlson; and several relatives.
One of the best “bus monitors” I ever had! My condolences to the family and hi Pat..
Oh Mark, when all the “Gehrke Boys” got together in one place, reminiscing about their past, number one, you’d be deaf from all of them talking over each other, and number 2, you’d be laughing so hard you’d be crying! It was during those occasions that I discovered just WHO I had married! Those were some of my best memories and there’s no doubt that a good time was had by all those days! Knowing what I know now about him, I have a pretty good idea of how he most likely “handled” the bus situation. 🤭
Sorry for your loss prayers go out too the family i worked with Larry at Central Roofig and his Brother’s great bunch of guy’s to work with
Paulette so sorry to hear the passing of Larry. My heart goes out to you and the kids.
So sorry for your loss, Paulette. Our condolences-Keith & Janet Goenner