Shirley Gehlen, 74, of Yuma, Ariz.
Shirley Edna (Bentz) Gehlen, 74, of Yuma, Ariz., formerly of Cokato, passed away in her home in Yuma, Oct. 3, and will be missed dearly.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m., at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe with interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
The Rev. Anthony Stubeda will be the officiating clergy.
Shirley Edna (Bentz) Gehlen was born Aug.14, 1945, in Green Isle Township, Sibley County, and grew up on a farm in Lester Prairie. One of her most cherished memories was growing up with her brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Gehlen was baptized as a Catholic June 8, 1964, at St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Glencoe. She had a strong faith in her religion and in God, whom she resides with now in heaven.
Mrs. Gehlen was a waitress at the bus depot in Glencoe where she met Richard and fell in love. On June 11, 1964, she was united in holy marriage to Richard Gehlen at St. Peter and Paul’s Church in Glencoe. They enjoyed 55 wonderful years together and were blessed with four children. Her proudest accomplishment was her marriage and her children.
Mrs. Gehlen was a hard worker and retired from 3M after 28 years of service.
She loved the outdoors, fishing, snowmobiling, gardening and her swing at the lake. Mrs. Gehlen was a fantastic cook who also loved baking and canning. She was also an avid Vikings fan. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she often accompanied Santa as Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Gehlen was loved and admired by many. She had a great circle of friends and a loving close-knit family on both sides she visited often.
Mrs. Gehlen was a strong woman who lived with back pain for many years. She never complained about her pain and always had a smile on her face. Many admired her strength.
Mrs. Gehlen is survived by her loving husband, Richard Gehlen of Yuma, Ariz.; her adoring children; Donna (Lane) Schlecht of Hutchinson, Kelli Meyer (friend Matt Banas) of Carolina Beach, N.C., Rita (Dale) Weber of Glencoe and Richard (Erin) Gehlen Jr. of Rice; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one on her way; three sisters, two brothers; 20 brothers and sisters-in law and many other relatives.
Mrs. Gehlen is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Edna Bentz; granddaughter, Lindsey Compar; grandson, Raymond Peter Tersteeg III; brothers, Ronnie Bentz, Ted Bentz, Harlan Bentz, Delmer Bentz; sisters, Marlene Schuette and Marlane Venske; father-in-law, Richard Gehlen; mothers-in-law, Pauline Gehlen and Noreen Gehlen; and seven brothers and sisters-in-law.
The Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe is handling the arrangements. Its website is www.mcbridechapel.com and it hosts obituaries and a guestbook.
