Marilyn was born to Clarence Peter Petersen and Marie Vera Ward Petersen on March 7, 1938, married Robert Clifford Gehrke August 29, 1959. Predeceased by parents, husband, and sons David and Alan. Survivors include children Deborah (Kevin) LaGoo, Rick (Jennifer) Gehrke, Roger (Anne) Gehrke; grandchildren Amber Smithson, Jesse (Robin) LaGoo, Erik (Johnnie) Gehrke, Kati Gehrke; and great-grandchildren Jonah, Hannah, Ezekiel, Isaac, Naomi, and Rebekah.
Marilyn was full of love, kindness, compassion, generosity, and wisdom. On top of taking care of our dad and putting her best years into raising us kids, she had a wide range of hobbies including cub scout den-mothering, painting, candle-making, gardening, canning, winemaking, and knitting angel pockets for babies who didn’t make it and beanies for cancer patients. Marilyn always had encouragement and big hugs for anyone who needed them, a shoulder to cry on, a laugh to share, and wisdom for the lost and downhearted. She beat cancer twice and carried the pioneer spirit of her sod-busting ancestors that never quit. Marilyn was an inspirer by nature. Never satisfied with “meh, good enough”, she encouraged people to see their own strengths, sidestep what they saw as their weaknesses, and focus on the best possible outcome. Marilyn was greater than the sum of her parts, saw that in other people, and encouraged them to work hard and exceed their own expectations. That’s a legacy to which we can all aspire.
Visitation is Friday 4/26/24 11-1 EST at Hamilton Memorial Gardens 5351 TN-153, Hixson, TN 37343
Graveside service at 1pm EST. No pressure, but she’ll haunt your ass if you don’t show. 😉
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