Elmer H. Gottschalk, 92, Sauk Rapids

October 8, 1923 - December 12, 2015

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids for Elmer H. Gottschalk, age 92, who passed away Saturday at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids. Rev. Paul Cloeter will officiate and burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Prayer services will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Elmer was born October 8, 1923 in Lewiston, Minnesota to Hugo and Emilie (Benicke) Gottschalk. He is a U.S. Army Veteran of WW II. He was married the love of his life, Ruthie Thurley for 69 years, September 28, 1946 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Winona. He lived in Rochester before moving to Sauk Rapids in 1968. He was a District Representative for Thrivent Insurance for 33 years. Elmer was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Sauk Rapids. He was a member of Sauk Rapids VFW Post #4847 and Sauk Rapids Legion Post #254. Elmer enjoyed coin collecting, travelling, music and playing the piano, especially “Elmer’s Tune”. His love of faith, family and his country defined his life. Elmer was a marvelous man who followed Christ all the way to the end and is walking with him now. Today we lost a good man. A man that always loved the Lord, loved that you loved the Lord and loved you. He always brightened the room with his smile and laughter. May we all be honored and glad that we have someone that we love, so close to our Savior. Elmer especially enjoyed spending quality time with his family. Elmer Hugo Gottschalk will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Sauk Rapids; sons and daughter, Gary (Ann) Gottschalk of LaGrange, IL, Bruce (Jan) Gottschalk of Prior Lake, Nancy (Kurt) Knettel of Boerne, TX; daughter-in-law, Lorilyn Gottschalk of Minneapolis; 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Stephen, March 6, 2008 and brothers, Lester, Vernon and Alvin.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.