Lillian M Gehrke

Surrounded by the love of her family, Lillian M. Gehrke (nee Abel) passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026, at the age of 97.

Lillian was born on March 19, 1929, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Karl and Olga Abel. She pursued her passion for caring for others by attending nursing school and graduating from the School of Nursing of the Provincial Mental Hospital of Ponoka, Alberta and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Throughout her 41 year nursing career, Lillian worked at Columbia Hospital and St. Michael Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Electric Power Company in Employee Health, and Waukesha Memorial Hospital. She took pride in continuing her professional development by earning her national certification in psychiatric nursing from the American Nurses' Association.

Lillian was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waukesha and North Trinity Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Her faith and her family were important parts of her life.

Lillian married the love of her life, Wyeth Gehrke, and together they raised four children: Janice, Joanne, Jeffry, and James. She treasured her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and took great joy in the time she spent with her family.

In her free time, Lillian enjoyed reading, gardening, counted cross-stitch, swimming, and playing cards. She will be remembered for her caring nature, her dedication to her family and profession, and the love she shared with those around her.

Lillian is survived by her children, Janice Gehrke, Jeffry Gehrke (Ann Novotny-Gehrke), and James Gehrke; grandchildren, Eric and Rachel Van Berg; Sequoia, Picabia, Maitreya, and Arachine Horn-Gehrke; great-grandchild, Nolan; brothers Ben Abel and Richard Abel, and sister, Loretta Schulz (Abel); along with extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Olga Abel; brother Norman Abel and sister Ruth Kaehler (Abel); her loving husband, Wyeth; and her daughter, Joanne.

A memorial service celebrating Lillian’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and continue until the time of the memorial service at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lillian’s name may be made to a charity of your choosing.

Lillian’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.