Obit: Gorke, Margaret (1926 – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gorke, Hiebl, Steinmetz, Larson, Snyder,, Ellenbecker, Brecht, Klinkner

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 05 Oct 2017

Gorke, Margaret (21 MAY 1926 – 3 OCT 2017)

Margaret Gorke, age 91, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2017.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017 at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Father Charles Hiebl will officiate. Inurnment to follow at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Monday at the funeral home. Serving as her Urn Bearers will be Chad Steinmetz, Sara Larson, David Gorke, Barb Snyder, Suzie Ellenbecker and Adam Ellenbecker.

Margaret Brecht was born on May 21, 1926, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Klinkner) Brecht in Neillsville. She attended St. Anthony's Catholic School in Loyal and graduated from Marshfield Senior High School. She then attended Central State Teachers College (now UW-Stevens Point), graduating in 1948.

On June 25, 1945, Margaret Brecht and Adolph Gorke were united in marriage at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Marshfield. He preceded her in death December 14, 2008. Margaret's teaching career spanned 31 years which included teaching at Park Falls High School, Spencer High School, Dorchester High School, Dor-Abby High School and the last twenty years of her career were spent at Abbotsford High School, retiring in 1980. She then occupied her time doing volunteer work at both St. Louis School and Dorchester Elementary School.

Margaret was a member of the Dorchester Public Library Board for 28 years and was instrumental in the creation of the new Dorchester Public Library. She was a charter member of the Dorchester Lioness and a member of the Dorchester Lions. Marge and Adolph belonged to the Central Wisconsin Campers. She was a member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliary and also a member of the Marshfield Area Teachers Association. Marge loved traveling and she and her husband were snowbirds for many years, wintering in Texas. They traveled by motor home through most of the states and also visited many foreign countries.

Margaret enjoyed spending time with her family, growing flowers, reading, playing cards and camping. She never missed a Packer game attending many in person, including the "Ice Bowl" and in later years she enjoyed watching them on television.

Marge was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Margaret is survived by her children: Sheila (Brian) Steinmetz of Dorchester and Mark (Melanie) Gorke of Abbotsford; five grandchildren: Chad Steinmetz, Sara (Joey) Larson, David (Laura) Gorke, Barbara (Carl) Snyder and Suzie (Adam) Ellenbecker; five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Nolan, Jack, Lucy and Violet. She is further survived by many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Adolph; her son, Greg; five brothers: Herman, Clarence, Emery, Peter and Jerome.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www. maurinaschilling.com.

The family would like to acknowledge Colby Retirement Community for their loving care of their mother.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Betty, Peggy, Anna, Beth, Amy, Mary, Cheryl, Wendy and everyone else who made Mom's days better.