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Ellen E. Gehrke Bidgood (nee Werner), 85, long-time resident of Plainfield, peacefully passed away Aug. 10, 2016, at Presence Villa Franciscan in Joliet. She was born Oct. 8, 1930, in Joliet to Henry L. Werner and Ellen L. (Franzen) Werner.
On March 27, 1949, she married Donald C. Gehrke at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Joliet. Together they raised four children, Peggy (Richard) Grommon, Donna (Harvey) Mandel, Rick (Karen) Gehrke and Renee (Dennis) Cain. They were blessed with seven grandchildren, Sharon (Brian) Nylen, Ron (BJ) Mandel, Jena (Todd) Dirkes, Ken (Melanie) Grommon, Rebecca Dudek, Karen (Ben) Ray and Donnie (Stephanie) Gehrke. Along with her grandchildren, Ellen is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, Lexi and Noah Dirkes; Harley, Nikki and Tasha Mandel; Katelyn and Alex Nylen; Hannah and Max Grommon; Lyla and Tatum Dudek; and Gabrielle and Jadyn Ray.
Ellen is survived by her husband, John “Jack” Bidgood, whom she married Dec. 18, 2004, and his children; a brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Gehrke, in 1995; her parents; brothers Phil (Elsie) Werner and Louis (Pat) Werner; and sisters Marge (Howard) Martin and Kay (Robert) Swanson.
Ellen was a homemaker, as well as a custodian for District 204. She began her work as a custodian at Wheatland 40C in 1967 and became an employee of Indian Prairie District 204, when Wheatland 40C merged with two other school districts to form IPSD in 1972. She retired from IPSD in 1988. Upon retiring, Ellen enjoyed working on crafts and traveling. Greece, Australia and Hawaii being her most memorable trips.
Ellen was faithful member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Joliet, where she was active with the Bible Studies group and the Women’s Guild. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Visitation was Aug. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 S. Joliet Road, Plainfield. Additional Visitation was Aug. 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 310 N. Broadway St., Joliet. Funeral services followed at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Karl Hess officiating.
Family and friends met Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, Aurora, for graveside services. In lieu, of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, www.stpeterjoliet.org, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
For more information, visit www.overman-jones.com or call 815-436-9221.
