Arlow A. Gehrke, 71, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at the Fort Meade VA Hospice Medical Center after a courageous battle of esophageal cancer.

Arlow was born February 10, 1942, at the Alsleben homestead in Minnesota. Arlow attended high school in Stewart, MN, and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

At the ripe age of 18, he left the family farm in Minnesota and joined the United States Air Force. Arlow was a MSGT in the Air Force where he was an airplane mechanic. He retired from the Air Force in 1987 after 28 years of adventures and service to his country.

Arlow married the love of his life, Betty Halvorson, in 1965. They have two wonderful daughters, Kimberly and Katherine, and four grandchildren, Blain, Brett, Kaitlin, and Khyler.

Arlow and Betty were stationed many places during his time in the Air Force, including Oklahoma, Anchorage, AK, Charleston, SC, and then back home to Ellsworth Air Force Base where they lived in Black Hawk, SD, for 38 years.

Arlow enjoyed many things in his life, such as being married to Betty for 48 years, spending time with his grandchildren and friends, geo caching, ATVing in the Black Hills, fishing, and of course hunting.

Arlow was a great influence to many people and never met a stranger. He helped many people in his life time. He always told his two daughters to pray, work hard, help people, and most of all "Pay Attention."

He is survived by his beautiful wife, Betty of Black Hawk; daughter, Kim Gehrke (Shawn Caekaert) of Rapid City; daughter, Kathy Smith (Austin Murtha) of Sturgis; grandson, Blain Willier (Danielle Langely) of Houston, TX; grandson, Brett Willier of Rapid City; granddaughter, Kaitlin Smith, and grandson, Khyler Smith, both of Sturgis; father, George Gehrke of Glencoe, MN; and sister, Junace Gehrke of Hutchinson, MN.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Gehrke of Brownton, Mn.

Funeral services will be held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis on Monday, October 21, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Following the funeral, all are welcomed to gather at Black Hills National Cemetery for a final farewell to Arlow, with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

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