Gwendolyn “Gwen” R. Gratke, 77, Sauk Rapids

August 15, 1938 - July 12, 2015

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids for Gwen R. Gratke, age 77 of Sauk Rapids, who passed away on Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids. Rev. Harvey Ehlers will officiate and entombment will be at Hilltop Mausoleum in Sauk Rapids. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services Friday at the church. Trinity Lutheran prayers will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Gwen was born on Aug. 15, 1938 in Albany to Waldamar and Merylyn (Christen) Gilk. She married Kenneth Gratke on Nov. 23, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albany. She lived in Albany for 17 years, St. Paul for 1 year, and in the St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids area since her marriage. Gwen was a transcriber at the St. Cloud Hospital for 32 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Gwen enjoyed reading, playing cards, visiting and shopping. She was a feisty person.

Survivors include her son, Kraig (Julie) Gratke of Sauk Rapids; brother and sister, Arlon (Claudia) Gilk of Albany and Merylyn (Ralph) Wentzlaff of Texas; and grandchildren, Victoria and Alexandra. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ken on Nov. 2, 1989; twin sister, Carolyn Harren; and brothers, Darrel and Lyle Gilk.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.