Thomas Arnold Gehrke

Thomas Arnold Gehrke age 69, peacefully rode into his final sunset on August 7, 2018.  He was born on June 8, 1949 in Woodstock, IL, the son of the late Arnold and Virginia (Jagodzinski) Gehrke.  He graduated from Badger High School in 1967 and then served in the National Guard.  He resided in Walworth for 23 years with his family and was the proud Owner of TAG Masonry for 22 years. 

He is survived by his two children:  Melissa (Jake) Rankin of Mukwonago, WI and Tyler Gehrke of Madison, WI.  He was known as “Papa Turkey” to his two grandsons Colton and Hunter Rankin.  Further survived by his Sister Judy Sokolowski, Brothers David (Cindy) Gehrke and Jeffrey (Ester) Gehrke.  He was preceded in death by his baby brother Timothy Gehrke and his Brother-in-law Ed Sokolowski. 

Tom loved and valued his family and friends.  He loved having big parties with family and friends in the back yard and thoroughly enjoyed having a good time.  He made friends easily everywhere he went and enjoyed interacting with everyone.  He also enjoyed doing crazy antics to surprise people and make them laugh.  He was a character who worked hard and also played hard. 

Tom was a cowboy at heart and loved leading many trail rides around Walworth with all of the other “closet cowboys” from the area.  He and two good friends were dubbed “Cadillac Cowboys” in 1988 for riding from Walworth to LaCrosse on horses with family delivering some meals along the way, thus the name. 

Tom loved his horses and talking to the older farmers.  He seemed to be an old soul in a sense and many times said he should have been born 100 years earlier. 

Happy trails Tom.  You will be missed.  Until we meet again.  Love your Family and Friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 12:00 PM at the Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home 113 Freeman St., Genoa City, WI.  Visitation will be from 10:00AM until the time of services.  Memorials may be made to The Time is Now to Help  PO Box 1, Lake Geneva, WI  53149.  Online condolences  Haaselockwoodfhs.com.