Robert "Bob" C Gaulke

Robert (Bob) was born March 5, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents Herbert C. and Julia Irene (Peterson) Gaulke. Along with his two brothers and sister, Bob grew up and attended school in Minneapolis.

On April 18, 1951, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country as an Aviation Electronics Technician, and was honorably discharged in 1955. Upon returning from the service, Bob met and married the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Knutson) Gaulke, on March 10, 1956, in Minneapolis. In 1959, the couple moved to Omaha, Nebraska, with their two small children in tow, Bob and Karen. There Bob began his long career in Pharmaceutical Sales.

Throughout the years, Bob enjoyed golfing with friends and family, and he rarely missed completing a crossword puzzle. He was also an avid reader, and loved singing Barbershop. He was a member of The Lutheran Church of the Master, where he was a member of the choir. Everyone knew when Bob was around because you could always hear him whistling. Bob could also be heard reading to the blind on KVNO Radio, a local Omaha station.

In 1991, Bob and Ellen retired to Hamilton, Montana, a lifelong dream of Bob’s. There, he served on the Hamilton Country Club Board, and Faith Lutheran Church Council. Bob and Ellen spent many happy years in retirement and outdoor activities in Montana. In 2018, as Bob’s health began to decline, he and Ellen moved to McCook, Nebraska, to be closer to family. They attended McCook Christian Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joann Sibet, and his two brothers, Richard and John.

Those celebrating Bob’s life include Ellen, his wife of sixty-four years; son Bob (Diane) Gaulke, of McCook; daughter Karen (Tom) Heyneman of Fishtail, Montana; two sisters-in-law Joann Johnson of Minneapolis, and Geri Gaulke of Minocqua, Wisconsin; and his four grandchildren, Kate (Eric) Bemis of Bellingham, Washington, Libby (Nick) Moga (including three children Greta, Oliver and Elliott), of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Bob (Stephanie) Gaulke (including two children Cecilia and Britta) of McCook, and Grant Brunton of Bellingham, Washington.