Lillian Eleanora Gierke was born in Odessa, Minnesota, on April 22, 1917, a gift of God to her parents, Max and Minna (Struck) Schmeichel. She was received into the Kingdom of God through Holy Baptism on May 3, 1917, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa. After her years of growing up on the Schmeichel Family Farm outside Odessa, she graduated from Odessa High School on May 31, 1934.
On June 23, 1940, she was married to the Rev. Arnold Gierke at Trinity Lutheran Church, Odessa, Minnesota, and they moved to the mission field of eastern Montana, where they worked in the beginning of two mission congregations. In 1949, she and her family moved to Butte, Montana, serving St. Mark Lutheran Church, where they lived until 1958. They then moved to Belvidere, Illinois, where they served Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, until and following Pastor Gierke's retirement in 1978. In 1987, they moved to Fremont, Nebraska, to be near family. Her husband, Arnold, died on January 10, 1994. While in Fremont, they were members at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. During her life, she served as Sunday School teacher, Lutheran Women's Missionary League and Altar Guild member, and managed the Cradle Roll. She also served in Belvidere as a long-time hospital auxiliary volunteer.
Those who remain to honor her life are three sons: the Rev. Charles (Joyce) Gierke of Omaha; the Rev. Eugene (Linda) Gierke of Seward; the Rev. Timothy (Barbara) Gierke of Fremont; one daughter, Karen (the Rev. Wilbur) Gehrke of Forest Grove, Oregon; also the following grandchildren; Gail (David) Black; Paul (Jennie); the Rev. John (Tonya); Karin (Thane) Jensen; Sean; Julie (John) Lazarchic; Jeff (Chris); Mark, Andrea, Amy and Debbie Gehrke; Kristin (Joel) Knott; Jeremy (Mindy); twenty-two great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Joanne Schmeichel of Odessa, and Elaine Daugherty of Henderson, Nevada.
Her husband, her daughter Judy, a grandson Brian, and several great-grandchildren including Isaac, were waiting to greet her upon her arrival in heaven, as were her parents, Max and Minnie Schmeichel, her parents-in-law, the Rev. Albert and Rosa Gierke, her brothers, Rudy (Marion) and Marvin, her sisters, Edna (John Busse/Bud Holzheimer), and Marcia (John) Kaercher, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, President Emeritus of the Nebraska District, LCMS, will proclaim the Word of God, and the Rev. Dr. David Coe, Associate Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, will lead the celebration of her life and eternal life on Friday, August 7, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1544 E. Military, Fremont. Visitation will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday, August 6, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Family members will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Her body will be laid to rest at Ridge Cemetery in Fremont, to await in peace the day of the Resurrection. Memorials may be listed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Mission Central LCMS.
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(8)
Phyllis Gallano
Belvidere, IL Tuesday, August 11, 2015 My sincere condolences to all.Sandey Strayer
Lakewood, CO Thursday, August 6, 2015 To the family of Lillian~I have had the pleasure to know Lillian and Judy for many years as their hairdresser. Lillian touched my heart in ways no other had. She was the grandmother I never had and truly mean that from my heart and I would tell her that all the time. She loved me as if I was one of her own. My most special memory of her (and I had many) was going to her house and making pfeffernusse cookies! I had such interest in her childhood and her life and constantly was asking her questions about it . She would bring pictures in to the salon to show me because I begged her to. She was a joy to my life. Even though I moved away and haven't seen her in about 6 years I am still heartbroken. She was one of the most caring, loving and patient women I have ever known. Heaven received an Angel thats for sure.
Ardith Warneke
Pierce, NE Thursday, August 6, 2015 My condolences to the family of the loss of your mothermy prayers are with all of you at this time.
Blessings Ardith (Mrs Mel) Warneke
Bruce Schut
Scribner, NE Thursday, August 6, 2015 May the joy of our resurrection hope in Christ give you comfort and blessed assurance. May your faith be strengthened daily with the truth, "I know that my Redeemer lives and I will see Him face to face." What a blessing it is that your mother and grandmother knew that same truth and shared it with you and those around her throughout her life on this earth. God's peace be with you, through the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.Judy Anderson
Fremont, NE Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Pastor Tim, Barb and familyDeepest sympathy to all of you as you mourn the loss of one so dear to you. Lillian was one of the sweetest women God ever put on this earth and although you will miss her may you find comfort in your many happy memories and knowing she is now at home with Jesus.
Marcia Goeller Davis [Schmidt]
Fremont, NE Wednesday, August 5, 2015 To the Gierke family, especially Chuck and Joyce, Gene and Linda,Though years have seperated us, I remember fondly sharing the love of Jesus with you in many varied settings here in Nebraska. Breaking.The.Mold of religious ritual remains a passion in my heart in leading people to Jesus.
Your mother obviously modeled well the role of raising up children to serve the Lord faithfully. What a legacy!
May you all truly worship and praise the Lord for her amazing contribution to your lives. May the message from the Lord, spoken by Russ, impact your hearts and produce that peace that the Holy Spirit provides.
Still radical for Jesus,
Marcia <><
Fremont, NE
Susan(Miles) Lyford
Murray, KY Tuesday, August 4, 2015 To the family of Lillian Gierke.My daughter called and told me your Mother had Passed away. They mentioned it in prayers on Sunday at Immanuel in Belvidere. I am deeply saddened. I know she will be missed but the joy of her with the Lord is your comfort. She had sent me a picture at Christmas. I thought how good she looked. I will miss hearing from her.
God Bless all of you.
Ellie Anderson (Bob & Loretta's daughter)
Cedarburg, WI Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Thoughts and prayers are with the Gierke family at this time.