Elizabeth Gacke

Larchwood, Iowa

     Elizabeth Gacke age 97, of Larchwood, IA passed away on August 8, 2024, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood, with Father Sunny Dominic officiating. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery.

     Visitation will be Monday, August 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood. Also there will be a 7:00 PM vigil service at the church Monday evening.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dow Rummel Foundation, or Avera Hospice.

     Jurrens Funeral Home is in charge of services.

     Elizabeth “Betty” Frances Bontje Gacke was born on March 22, 1927, on a farm near Larchwood, IA, the daughter of Edward and Johanna (Bakker) Bontje. She attended and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Larchwood. She then went to Presentation School of Nursing, McKennan Unit, and graduated in 1948.

     On September 6, 1950, Betty married Robert “Bob” Gacke at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Larchwood. They made their home in Larchwood and were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Betty had great faith and was very active in the church.

     Betty worked for McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, and retired in 1986.

     Family was very important to Betty, and she attended her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s school, dance, and sporting events. 

     Betty and her husband Bob enjoyed dancing. She loved sewing, gardening, and canning which she shared with her family. She also liked camping, hiking, and spending many winters in Arizona.

     Betty is survived by her seven children, Jean Pottinger of Iowa City, IA, Rich Gacke of Davenport, IA, Lois (Ted) Cramer of Rock Rapids, IA, Mike (Nancy) Gacke of Madison, SD, Pat Gacke of Wentworth, SD, Ken (Carolyn) Gacke of Sioux Falls, SD, and Scott (Emily) Gacke of Lake Andes, SD; 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Bjerke of Bemidji, MN, and Shirley Vrooman of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, and nephews, and their families.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Johanna Bontje; husband, Robert “Bob” Gacke; son, Tommy Gacke; three brothers, Louis (Ellen) Bontje, Jack (Shirley) Bontje, and Donald (Jean) Bontje; one sister, Janet (Gary) Mlujeak; two brothers-in-law, Kermit Bjerke and Vern Vrooman; and two daughters-in-law, Julie Gacke and Kim Gacke.