Delmer Gehrke

Delmer “Del” Gehrke was embraced peacefully into God’s arms on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the age of 78, after a long, full life.

Del was born on Feb. 1, 1948, to Laura and Earl Gehrke in Perry, Iowa. Welcoming him also was his older sister, Jean, who was almost 2. When he was about 2 months old, the family moved to Lewiston.

Del earned his Eagle badge for the Boy Scouts at age 13, and graduated high school from Lewis-Clark Normal School.

In 1966, he went to college and earned his degree in 1967. In 1969, Del got married to Jordis Brist, and with her welcomed two daughters, Dawnn and Cyndi. They later divorced in 1978. Del married in 1980 to Sue Gibbs and had a son and a daughter, Troy and Arrie. In 2007, he retired from the Corps of Engineers after 27 years.

He loved sharing his passion for cooking with his family and friends during holidays and “Pig Feeds.” He also loved spending time camping at Laird Park and the North Fork. In the Boy Scouts, he found a love of sailing; Lake Pend Oreille was his favorite place.

He was survived by his wife, Sue; children, Dawnn (Scott) Walters, Cyndi (Sean) Greenlee, Troy Gehrke, Arrie (Mark) Vogel; mother, Laura Gehrke (102); sister, Jean Fulton; and seven grandchildren. He was proceeded by his father, Earl Gehrke; and his brother-in-law, Jim Fulton.

Del’s celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, at Orchards Baptist Church, 1002 Bryden Ave., Lewiston.

The family would like to thank Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home.