Robert E. Gehring, 76

Robert Eugene Gehring, 76, of Austin, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, at his home.

He was born Sept. 16, 1926, to Charles and Julian (Keller) Gehring in Iroquois, S.D. After attending school in Iroquois, S.D. he worked construction and on the railroad. Entering the US Army in 1945, he was stationed in Europe and Manilla serving in the Asiatic conflict before his discharge in 1946.

On July 20, 1952, he married Clariene "Clo" Dirks in Iroquois, S.D. They lived in Huron, S.D. where Robert drove truck for Nash Finch grocery stores for 19 years and then worked as a grocery store manager there for 19 years in many locations in the Midwest. Clariene died April 1, 1986.

On Nov. 22, 1986, he married Juanita Pieper in Austin.

A former member of First United Methodist Church, Bobby enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, camping with his family, visiting casinos and bowling.

Survivors include wife, Juanita; daughters, Scharrel (Michael) Krause, Ham Lake; Linda (Steven) Wobschall, Austin; Sandra (Michael) Smith, Janesville, Wis.; sons, Randall (Ann) Gehring. Ottumwa, Iowa; Jeffrey Gehring (Tim Anderson), Golden Valley; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dennis (Katie) Dirks, Bloomfield, Iowa; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death his parents; first wife; sisters, Florence Salter and Delores Koehler; brothers, Woodrow "Woody" and Clifford Gehring.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, 2002, at the funeral home and Saturday at church for one hour before the service.

Service: 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Edward's Catholic Church with Father Joseph Fogal officiating.

Interment: Cedar City Cemetery, rural Austin, with military rites by VFW Post 1216 and American Legion Post 91.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.