Lawrence E. Ehrke

Funeral Services for Lawrence E. Ehrke will be conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. with Mr. Neal Collins, officiating. Interment will be in the Deaver Cemetery in Furnas County, Nebraska.

Lawrence Edward John Ehrke, 91 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska (formerly of Stamford, Nebraska) passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma. Lawrence was born August 3, 1915 on the family farm southwest of Stamford, the eldest of four children of Herman C. and Gardie C. (Stroh) Ehrke. He received his primary education from District #57 in Furnas County and graduated from Stamford High School with the class of 1934.

On May 14, 1940 he was united in marriage to Frances Johnette at the E.U.B. parsonage in Hollinger, Nebraska. They were blessed with eight children: Karon, Kent, John, Galen, Karna, Ken, Don and Jerry. The family made their home on the Ellis place southwest of Stamford for fifteen years until moving east of Stamford in 1955, where he continued his life long love of farming and cattle feeding. In 1990, the couple moved into Stamford. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in 2005. Lawrence was a devoted husband to Frances and lovingly cared for her during her journey with cancer. On June 7, 2005, Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Frances. Due to health concerns on April 24, 2006 he began a new life with friends and caregivers at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma. Lawrence continued to be involved in his passion for the farming operation and cattle feeding even at 91 years of age.

Lawrence was an active member of the Bethel E.U.B. and the Stamford Presbyterian and Orleans Presbyterian Churches. He was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, served on the Stamford School Board, past member of the Alma CO-OP Board and the Deaver Cemetery Association Board for many years. He enjoyed writing his article for the Stamford Newsletter, reminiscing of the past, sending greeting cards and letters to family and friends. Lawrence also thoroughly enjoyed attending every school and community activity he could.

He leaves to mourn his two daughters: Karon Rodgers and her husband, Bil of Littleton, Colorado and Karna Loewenstein of Omaha, Nebraska; five sons: John Ehrke and his wife, Linda and Galen Ehrke and his wife, Shirley all of Stamford, Ken Ehrke and his partner, Steve Grenzow of Arlington, Texas, Don Ehrke and his wife, Margi and Jerry Ehrke and his wife, Jodi all of Orleans; twenty-one grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Willa Ralston of Orleans; brother, Lloyd Ehrke and his wife, Marjorie of Stamford; brothers and sisters-in-law: Elva Simpson of Orleans, Royce Johnette of Stamford and John Johnette of Omaha, Nebraska and special friends of the family: Elvera Payne of Stamford and Anita Booth of Omaha, Nebraska and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kent Ehrke in 1951; son-in-law, Douglas Loewenstein; an infant grandson; sister, Violet Bose and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mr. Ehrke will lie in state at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Orleans on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell Funeral Home of Orleans in is in charge of the arrangements.