1930-WILLIAM GEHL-2017
William “Bill” Donald Gehl, the son of William and Gertrude (Dierks) Gehl, was born on August 13, 1930 in Kinbrae, MN. Bill was baptized on September 7, 1930 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda and confirmed there also on April 7, 1944 with a confirmation text of John 6:68. Bill loved his Savior and prayed for his church and its members. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Kinbrae until the 3rd grade then attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Fulda before attending the Fulda High School, graduating in 1948. He then attended college at the University of Minnesota at the Farm Campus where he graduated in 1950. Bill was united in marriage to Loretta Kraft on December 27, 1951 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda. After their marriage they lived and farmed on the Gehl family farm in rural Dundee. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served for one year until he was discharged in 1953. He returned to the farm, and they lived there their entire married lives. Bill passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at his home at the age of 87. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda and was involved in all of the boards and committees over the years. Bill also served on the Graham Lakes Township board as a supervisor and was on the Conservation Board in Nobles County and other community boards and organizations. He was active in the Fulda Heritage Society. He was exceptionally handy with tools and repairing machinery. He enjoyed historic items, restoring old automobiles and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Gehl of Dundee, MN; three children, Scott (Jill) Gehl of St. Michael, MN, Robin Gehl of St. Paul, MN and Mark (Peggy) Gehl of Fulda, MN; 6 grandchildren, Tyler Gehl, Jenna Gehl, Riley Gehl, Tiffany Gehl, Melissa Gehl and Will Gehl and two brothers, Walter (Clarice) Gehl of Dundee, MN and Duane (Shari) Gehl of Dundee, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Audrey Gehl.
Funeral Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 7, 2017 with Rev. Shawn Ethridge officiating. The organist is Tiffany Gehl. The pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment at Prairie Hill Cemetery in Fulda, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
