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Photo of Avron D. Gaulke

Avron D. Gaulke

8/29/1914 - 3/6/2008


Obituary


Avron D. Gaulke, 93, of Clarion passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008 at Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services for Avron Gaulke will be held Monday, March 10, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational with Pastor Dennis Secrease officiating. Military graveside services will be conducted by the VFW and American Legion at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. 

Visitation for Avron Gaulke will be held Sunday, March 9, 2008 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Avron, the son of Theadore W. and Sarah Buge Gaulke, was born August 29, 1914 on the family farm near Dows.  He grew up on the farm and graduated from the Dows High School in 1933.  Following graduation Avron worked on the family farm.  He then moved to Sibley, Iowa where he was employed as a cook in his sister Edna’s and brother Lewis’ restaurant.

On February 3, 1941, Avron joined the National Guard, and they were activated one week later.  Avron was captured and taken prisoner on February 14, 1943 after two years as a Prisoner of War; he was released as prisoners of war exchange.  Following his discharge, Avron returned to the Clarion were he was employed at the sandwich shop.  Marianne Gilligan was having lunch one day and the couple met.  A romance started, they dated for four years before being married in 1951 at the Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational.    The couple was blessed with four children.

They settled in Clarion, living in the same house for 46 years.  Marianne and Avron hosted many family reunions in their home.  In 2001 the couple moved to the Meadows.  Thru the years they took a few trips one being to Germany.  Avron was employed with the United States Postal Service for 22 years, retiring in 1978.

He was a member of the Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational and the VFW.  He served as the league secretary for the Wednesday night bowling leagues for 25 years..

Avron is survived by four children: David and his wife, Kris of Indianola, Lorna Daniels and her husband, Charlie of Hopewell, Virginia, Bruce and his wife, Denise of Clarion, Brenda Lurie and her husband, Rick of Arnold, Maryland; three grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; granddaughter-in-law; great-grandson; and step great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marianne in 2004; five brothers and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers memorial contribution may be made to Clarion United Church of Christ Congregational or Wright County Medical Center.