Lillian M. Gehling, 88, a longtime Grand Meadow, Minnesota, resident, passed away at her home peacefully with her loving family by her side on Thursday, Nov.12, 2015.

Lillian Marie Klocke was born Aug. 8, 1927, at home near Carroll, Iowa, to Anton and Bertha (Bernholtz) Klocke. She was baptized, received First Holy Communion, was confirmed and attended school through eighth grade at Holy Angels Catholic Church and school in Roselle, Iowa. She always enjoyed singing in the church choir. She grew up on the family farm with her three brothers and two sisters where she learned the value of hard work by milking cows and baking bread, but she also enjoyed going to dances in Carroll. Lillian was married on Sept. 25, 1946, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Roselle to George J. Gehling. The couple farmed south of Carroll for 4-and-a-half years before moving to rural Grand Meadow, Minnesota, in 1951. Together they farmed and raised their 10 children including hosting a foreign exchange student, Alexis Vasquez, in the 1964-1965 school year, with whom they have stayed in touch to this day. While raising her family, Lillian was an active member of the Grand Meadow School Distrct No. 495 PTO and her kid’s 4-H Club. She was a longtime member of St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, serving as a substitute catechism teacher for many years and more recently, serving in Eucharistic Ministry, Holy Hour Adoration, and Mission Circle. She also participated as an active member of the Rosary Society where she served as president and with the Winona Council of Catholic Women. Lillian was a Gold Star mother of the American Legion Auxiliary in Grand Meadow.

After moving into the town of Grand Meadow in 1979 with George, Lillian enjoyed flower gardening and feeding the birds and squirrels. She and George spent many enjoyable winters in Mesa, Arizona, with their daughter Cathy. Lillian was the heart of her home. She was an inspiration to all she came in contact with, singing while she worked, “offering up” all her suffering to God, and loving Jesus and Mary every minute of her life. Her infectious smile captivated everyone. Her dream was to be the best wife, mother and grandmother she could be, which she has far exceeded.

Survivors include her beloved children: Mary (Gerald) Claeys of Grand Meadow, Patricia (Edward) McLean of Anoka, Minnesota, Jane (Gerald) Brogan of Grand Meadow; Georgia (Robert) Von Arx of Byron, Minnesota; Allan (Debbie) Gehling of Grand Meadow; Richard (Peggy) Gehling of Grand Meadow, Steven (Dorothy) Gehling of Grand Meadow, Barbara (Steven) Seifert of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and Cathy Gehling of Grand Meadow; 43 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; her sister, Dorothy (Leon) Steinkamp of Grand Meadow; a sister-in-law Ruth Klocke and brother-in-law Frank Dalhoff; as well as several loving brothers- and sisters-in-law on the Gehling side. She has a multitude of wonderful nieces and nephews carrying on her legacy.

She was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, George, in April 2010; her son Donald, who was killed in action in Vietnam in October 1967;  her parents; her brothers: Alfred, Harold and Paul Klocke; her sister Louise Dalhoff; sister-in-law Darlene Klocke; nephew Joseph Klocke and niece Sharon Laramie.

The mass of Christian burial for Lillian will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow with Fr. Marreddy officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. A time of visitation will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville, www.griffin-gray.com.