Obituary of Gerald Dahnke

Gerald Elmer Dahnke the son of Elmer and Mammie (Goering) Dahnke was born on a farm near Hartley, IA on June 9, 1918. When Gerald was born he only weighed two pounds and his bed was a shoe box. His parents kept him warm by the stove. He grew up on the family farm near Hartley with his brother Delmer and attended country school. On January 9, 1941 Gerald was united in marriage to Lucille Stewart in Vermillion, SD. Following their marriage the couple were engaged in farming in the Hartley area. Gerald also worked for the Hartley Creamery for many years. In 1978 they moved to their new home in Hartley. Lucille passed away on February 2, 1985 after 44 years of marriage to Gerald. Gerald was blessed to be united in marriage to Alberta Jatho on January 17, 1987 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hartley. Following their marriage the couple continued to live in Hartley. Gerald passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, IA on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at the age of 92. Gerald was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ and the Brotherhood. He had many interest and hobbies but enjoyed golfing, dancing, fishing, playing cards, horses and casino visits. He is survived by his second wife Alberta of 23 years; his brother: Delmer Dahnke and his wife Myrna of Hartley; a nephew Dennis Dahnke and his wife Londa of Colfax, WI, and nieces: Marla Buie and her husband Chet of Sioux Falls, SD, and Shannan Zenkovich of Spencer, IA; four grand nephews, and two grand nieces; step children: Larry Jatho and his wife Kathy of Lansing, IA, Carol Wellcome and her husband Ralph of Sheldon, IA, Alan Jatho and his wife Karen of Hartley, IA and Nancy Rieck and her husband David of Hartley, IA; 11 step grandchildren; 15 step great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Lucille and a son Larry Dahnke A Celebration of Life Gerald E. Dahnke Born ~ June 9, 1918 Died ~ September 2, 2010 Age ~ 92 years 2 months 23 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010 Trinity United Church of Christ Hartley, Iowa Officiating Rev. Jeff Filkins Music Processional ~ “Amazing Grace” “In The Garden” Recessional ~ “How Great Thou Art” Pallbearers Michael Stewart Douglas Stewart Steve Stewart Brent Tewes Eldon Tewes Dennis Dahnke Honorary Pallbearers Marla Buie Shannan Zenkovich Ushers George Mills Verlus Pippert Internment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa