February 18, 1918 - February 4, 2017

Elmer Allen Louis Gaulke of Spooner died on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at the age of 98.

Elmer was born to Carl J. and Wilhelmina A (Juhnke) Gaulke on February 18, 1918, in Robbinsdale, MN. Elmer graduated from the University of Minnesota Farm School in 1935 and moved to Spooner in 1939.  He married Bernice G. Lemke on November 17, 1945, at Zion Lutheran Church, Crown, MN.  Elmer has been a member of Faith Lutheran Church since 1942.

Elmer and Bernice operated a dairy farm in the Town of Bashaw for 50 ½ years. In the first few years, Elmer operated Gaulke Dairy, selling milk directly to Spooner residents.  Later he sold milk to the Spooner Creamery and later to the Stella Cheese creamery in Cumberland.

Elmer was especially fond of visits from family and friends for the opportunity to tell and listen to stories. He also enjoyed caring for his dairy cattle and all the various dogs and cats that were part of the “livestock.” In addition, he enjoyed the work of raising crops to feed his cattle.  Following the sale of his cattle and the end of the dairy business, Elmer raised crops for sale until 2008 when he retired from all farming activities.

Elmer was remembered for his kind nature, for his sense of humor, and for his remarkable memory! He was amazed to have witnessed the evolution of farming from horse-drawn machinery to the massive, efficient modern machinery.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Carl “Charles” and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Gaulke; daughter Linda Moberg; son-in-law Robert Moberg; and siblings Charlotte, Carl, Emma, Frank, and Vernon.

He is survived by one son, Alan (Therese), of Columbus, OH; one daughter, Susan (William) Tews; four grandchildren, Jeff Moberg of Dresser, WI, Eric Moberg of Chaska, MN, Alicia (Will) VerDuin of Highland, IL, and Greg Gaulke of Ann Arbor, MI; four great-grandchildren, Megan and Erik Moberg and Noah and Olivia VerDuin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at Saturday, February 11, at 11am, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Spooner. Pastor Brent Berkesch officiating.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 10, from 4-7 pm, at the Spooner Funeral Home, in Spooner, and at the church one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday.

Interment will be at the Spooner Cemetery following the service on Saturday.

IN lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to Lutheran World Relief or to Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:41 pm CST