Wilma Gehrls

Wilma Andrene Holter was born on December 29, 1923 in Woonsocket, South Dakota to Rudolph and Sarah (Christopher) Holter. Wilma was united in marriage to Marvin Gehrls on July 14, 1946. For many years, they made their home in the Twin Cities area where Wilma worked as one of the first key punch operators for Holiday, just as computers were beginning to come onto the scene. The couple moved to Brainerd in 1973, where she became a member of the Community Covenant Church. Wilma was a loving homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her positive outlook on life was based on her unwavering faith in God and that He causes all things to work together for good. She held a passion for music her whole life, singing with her sisters growing up, and singing in the choir at church. She often sang around the house as she worked as music lifted her soul. She proved to have a green thumb, as demonstrated by the many thriving plants always found in her home. Many people also benefited from her love of doing upholstery. Wilma was a prayer warrior and that carried over even after she developed dementia. We will always remember her sweet disposition and extraordinary faith.

Wilma is survived by her sister Grace (Holter) Boisen, Mitchell, SD, brother Raymond (Ruth) Holter, Houston, TX; children, David (Sheryl) Omaha, NE, Tim (Karen) Baxter, MN, Jon (Phyllis) Baxter, MN, Dan (Mary Lee) St. Cloud, MN, and Lily (Kevin) Bates, Ovid, MI; twelve grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Sarah; sister, Mona Scott: and husband, Marvin.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 11, at 1PM at Lakewood Free Church in Baxter, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.