Lori Lynn Gehrke also known as “Lu,” left us unexpectedly on May 25, at her home, in Winneconne. Lori was born on June 18, 1959, in Oshkosh, to Bob and Vernita Fink, the fourth of their five children.

She spent the first twenty years in Eureka, Wisconsin, where there were always plenty of neighborhood kids to play with. They were either at the Ball Park or running one-legged races or anything they could get into. Lori could make anything fun!

She was educated in the Omro School System- from Enterprise School all through High School. Everything for her turned into a game. She loved snowmobiles and going on Winter picnics with the family.

Lori continued her schooling at Moraine Park Technical College to be a CNA. She followed that for a few years but decided it wasn’t the path for her. She was then offered a bar tending job and did that for about thirty years, meeting so many friends and having so much fun, while working hard.

In amidst of all of that, she met and married Tom Gehrke from Winneconne on January 28, 1984. They made their home in Winneconne until her passing. Together, they had two children, Bobbie Jo and Christopher. Bobbie Jo also gave Lori three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was very proud of all of them and loved spending time with her whole family.

Lori loved spending time and holidays with her family. We hope everyone remembers the good times they had together while knowing her. She was truly one of a kind.

She lost her husband to Cancer on December 3, 2024. This was also the start of her sickness, but we are comforted knowing that they are back together again.

Lori is survived by her children, Bobbie Jo and Christopher; her grandchildren, Paige, Michael and Audrey; and her great-grandchild, Austin. She is further survived by her Mother, Vernita Fink; her brother, Ron (Marilyn) Fink; sisters, Terri (Jon) Groth and Darcie (Dennis) Wisnefske; sisters-in-law, Patty Fink and Mary Jo (Reid) Winkenwerder; and so many additional family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her Father, Bob Fink Sr.; her brother, Bob Fink Jr.; her In-laws, Fred and Florence Gehrke; brother-in-law, Dale Gehrke; and sisters-in-law, Linda Tuxen and Marsha Wiley.

A time to gather will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E. Main St., Winneconne, WI. Lori was a huge collector of novelty t-shirts. Family will be bringing upwards of 75 of them to share with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial tree will be established at Marble Park in her honor.