Beatrice Gekeler

Beatrice Lorraine Gekeler
BEATRICE LORRAINE GEKELER, age 93 of Waseca, died on Monday, August 10, 2015 at Koda Living Community in Owatonna.
Born on March 27, 1922, in LeRay Township, Blue Earth County, she was the daughter of Carl and Loretta (Anderson) Steinke.  She attended Blue Earth County rural school. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.  Beatrice married Harold Gekeler, May 31, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.  They celebrated 50 years together.  She and her husband farmed west of Janesville from 1940-1944 and then moved to a farm southwest of Waseca where they resided until 1968 when they moved into Waseca.  Through the years she worked 10 years at Birdseye Division of General Foods and 21 years at E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca, until her retirement.  She enjoyed dancing, playing the card game Pfeffer, going to the casino, shopping for antiques, sewing, baking, and especially spending time with her beloved family and friends.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville. 
Beatrice is survived by six children, Merlen Gekeler of Waseca, Marlyn Gekeler (friend, Sue Clayton) of Janesville, Harlan (Virginia) Gekeler of Waseca, Cheryleen Mullerleile of Waseca, Maureen (Dale) Sonday of Waseca, and Doreen (Robert) Hoffman of Otisco; eighteen grandchildren, Kristine (David) Johnson, Kimberly Christenson (friend, Troy Murphy), Terry (Andrea)Gekeler, Kimberly (Kelly) Giblin, Jesse Pike III (Anna Tuma), Renee (Steve) Schmidt, Cindy (Brent) Chelgren, Julie (Mark) Van Den Bos, Andrew Gekeler (Lindsay Cooley), Lee (Kristy) Mullerleile, Lisa (Christopher) Schlueter, Danielle (Jason) Androli, Amanda (Adam) Vought, Christopher Sonday, Sarah (Douglas Carlson) Sonday, Jesse (Wanda) Hoffman, Richard (Angie) Hoffman, Brian (Jessie Shaffer)Hoffman; forty nine great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 1991; sister, Bernice and Harold Anderson; brother, Orville and Delores Steinke; daughter-in-law, Lois Gekeler; and great granddaughters, Larissa Androli and Makayla Pike.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 2-5 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Dr. Larry Griffin officiating.  Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.