Gerald Dennis Gehring Obituary
Gerald D. Gehring (Gerry) of Leavenworth, WA passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the age of 86. Gerry was born on June 13, 1938 in Kulm, North Dakota which was made up of Germans and Swedes. When was Gerry in the first grade he still couldn't speak English. They moved to Aberdeen and Black Hills where he learned English and finished school. Gerry's father was a harness maker and a shoe cobbler. His mother was a talented cook, homemaker and worked as a house cleaner.
When Gerry was a teenager, he came to Leavenworth to live with his older brother Victor during the summer. Victor was a doctor at the Leavenworth Hospital. After Gerry graduated from high school in 1956, he served in the Army from January 1957-January 1959. Following his military service Gerry moved permanently to Leavenworth and began began a 27 year career working for the United States Forest Service as a civil engineer tech. After retiring from the forest service, Gerry worked 11 years as a Chelan County property assessor.
Gerry met a beautiful woman, Dee Taylor, who was busy raising her 5 children. They fell in love and were married July 29, 1978. Gerry was miraculously reunited with his son, Greg Gehring (A story with hearing if you ever get a chance). Gerry was a great husband and father of 6.
Gerry's childhood passion for fishing carried on through his lifetime. He spent much of his life alongside his friends with a rod and reel in his hands. Gerry was a master fisherman. Gerry was mechanically inclined and his favorite room in the house was his garage. He could fix almost anything and when he couldn't, he would just order a new one from his favorite store, Amazon. When Gerry was outside, his favorite spot was on his red lawn tractor. After he lost his wife, Dee, he began to find joy in sitting on his tractor interacting with passersby and the construction crew at the Hatchery.
Gerry was a man of quiet faith who trusted God in life and also with his death. He was lonesome without his wife, Dee, and accepted the care of home hospice with peace. After many recent visits of friends and family, with words of blessing exchanged, Gerry crossed over to the other side.
Gerry was preceded in death by Benjamin Gehring (father), Margarita Gehring (mother), Richard Gehring (brother), Victor Gehring (brother), Ivor Gehring (brother), Le Mar (brother) and loving wife, Dee Gehring.
Gerry is survived by his sister Marlys (Forest) Rux, his son Greg (Julia) Gehring, his 5 stepchildren Kim (Mark) Booth, Scott Weston, Suzanne Hamilton, Shelley (Jon) Vandel, Rob (Mel) Taylor and 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and four nieces.
The family would like to thank the Cascade Medical team for taking good care of our dad and honoring him these last few years, as he grew older. Dr. Jay Jerome, his primary care doctor offered him great care, understanding and friendship. Shelley and Jon Vandel, who lived next door to Gerry, with the assistance of family enjoyed the privilege of helping Gerry live each day of his life in his home.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Gerry Gehring at the Leavenworth Fire Hall located at 228 Chumstick Hwy Leavenworth, WA on Sunday February 2nd. at 11am. A lunch reception to follow.
