Sadie Gehrke

Sadie Kristine Gehrke peacefully went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. She was 94.

Sadie is survived by her three daughters, Rene (Bill) Sawyer of Backus, MN, JoAnn (Ray) Hamilton of Ranchester, WY, and Vicki Heino of Denver, CO; her brother, Loren Rask of Pekin, IL; eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, three sisters, husband, Lyle Gehrke, and grandson, Joshua Hamilton.

She was born in Minneapolis, MN, on June 5, 1929, to Oscar and Lydia Rask. She grew up in Minneapolis, where she met the love of her life, Lyle Gehrke. He always said when he first laid eyes on her he thought, “I’m going to marry that girl”. They were married December 22, 1946, and spent 54 beautiful years together. They resided in Minneapolis, raising their girls there until 1967 when they moved to Hibbing, MN, and then moved on to Hackensack to run the Gambles Hardware Store in 1971. In retirement they moved to Backus, MN.

Sadie’s number one priority in life was her love and faithful service for the Lord. Full of His love and grace, her greatest joys in life were her family. She was a caring and dutiful daughter and sister, a wonderful and devoted wife, a loving, tender, and imparting mother, and an adoring and fun grandma. Sadie was a loyal friend to many. Her warmth and genuine care for people radiated from her. People could not help but be drawn into her orbit where there was so much goodness and true joy.

The legacy Sadie leaves through the almost 95 years the Lord gave her is immeasurable. Multiple generations and countless family and friends know the Lord, and/or have grown in their own relationship with Him in large part due to Sadie’s testimony and example of Christ’s love. For her family, friends, and so many others who may not even be aware of this gift, Sadie was their greatest prayer warrior.

The people she affected and the lives she touched were many as Sadie was always well-known in her community. For 32 years, her beautiful voice touched hearts every week through her ministry as the church song leader. Sadie’s gift of hospitality was unmatched and she shared her love through her baking and sewing. Many others met Sadie as their Avon lady through the 18 years she ensured everyone on her route smelled good, looked great, and always had the perfect gift to give.

Please join us in celebrating Sadie’s remarkable life on Thursday, May 2^nd at 11:00 a.m. at Backus Church of the Nazarene in Backus, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorials can be sent to Backus Church of the Nazarene - Children’s Ministries.