Sharon D Gehrke

Sharon Dell “Novotny” Gehrke, 82, a lifelong resident of Kimball, died at the Kimball County Manor on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Cantrell Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Bohac officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Kimball Cemetery following the service. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to view her Tribute Wall and share condolences and stories with the family. Memorials may be given in Sharon’s memory to Young Wives Extension Club. The services for Sharon have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Sharon was born the daughter of William and Esther (Burback) Novotny on April 12th, 1942, in Kimball, Nebraska, where she spent her entire life. She graduated from Kimball County High School in 1960. Shortly after, on February 26th, 1961, she married Richard Gehrke, and together they built a life filled with love, family, and community. Their union was blessed with three children: Richard “Brent”, Michelle, and Jason.

Sharon balanced her roles as a devoted mother and wife while also contributing to the community. She was a founding member of “The Young Wives Extension Club in 1963, which was a great source of life long friendship, support, and fun.” Sharon worked at First State Insurance and later at Soper Insurance Agency. In 1989, she pursued her passion for antiques by opening her own store, “Sharon's Stuff”. She had many fun years of going to auctions, garage sales, decorating for holidays, and entertaining family and friends. Her greatest love was time spent with Brandon.

Sharon was a woman of many passions. She was involved in the family farm business, helping Richard with its operations and caring for their children during their school years. Sharon never missed being a room mother and bringing treats and punch from The Creamery! She had a special love for many different lap dogs throughout the years. Her afternoons were often spent enjoying a glass of wine, reflecting on the day and appreciating the simple pleasures of life. Family and friends were the center of her world, and she held them close to her heart. Sharon's legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard Gehrke of Kimball; her daughter, Michelle Williams, and her husband Mark of Cheyenne, Wyoming; her sister, Peg Novotny DeFrance and her husband Jerry of Portland, Oregon; her grandson, Brandon McKee; two step-grandchildren, Matt and Shannon Williams; and a niece, Brenna White and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sons Richard Brent Gehrke and Jason Gehrke, and her dearest friend, Elsie Vogel.