Erna Marie Gehle

Erna Marie Gehle was called to her heavenly home on December 1, 2020 at the age of 106. She was born on August 29, 1914 to Emma and Otto Gehle of St. Peter, IL where she spent her childhood along with her six brothers and sisters.

As a young woman, Erna moved to St. Louis, MO where she worked and volunteered all of her adult life. She held several jobs before her employment with Suburban Tire. After retiring in 1979, she volunteered thousands of hours at Deaconess Hospital until 2005 at the age of 91. Shortly after that she moved to the Lutheran Senior Services Retirement Home where she lived her remaining years.

Erna’s great joy was to spend time with her many friends, her Messiah Lutheran church family and her extended family of siblings, nieces and nephews. She was able to visit with everyone until the pandemic. And then she still enjoyed speaking with you via the phone. The last big gathering was in August of 2019 when her friends and family celebrated with her for her 105th birthday. She was so grateful to see everyone gathered together!

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Alvin, Willard, and Loren; and sisters, Elda Higgins and Lillian Mercer. Erna is survived by her brother, Leonard (Lola) Gehle, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 5 from 10 to 11am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1608 E. 800 Ave., Shobonier, IL 62885. Immediately following, services and burial will be limited to family only.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Messiah Lutheran Church, 2846 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63118-1033, or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1608 E. 800 Ave., Shobonier, IL 62885.