Gilbert Ehrich

Gilbert W. Ehrich, 89, of Blue Earth passed away April 28, 2016 at St. Mary''s Hospital in Rochester.Funeral Service will be 10:30AM Thursday May 5, 2016 at the United Methodist Church of Blue Earth. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 PM Wednesday May 4 at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth, and one hour prior to service at church. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery of Blue Earth.Gilbert was born November 16, 1926 to Ruben and Minnie (Hundt) Ehrich on the farm in Rome Township. He attended rural country school, and Frost High School. He was drafted into the United States Army, and served in Germany during the Korean War.On February 23, 1958 Gilbert married Ramona Paschke, and together raised their two daughters, Sandy and Vickie.Gilbert was a lifelong farmer and raised his family on their farm in Elmore Township. He will be remembered for his lifelong love of the unadorned farm life. He spent his free time tinkering with various projects and spending time with his family. His grandchildren held a special place in his life. In the few decades that he had grandchildren, he frequently played the role of babysitter, inviting his grandchildren to spend time with him in the field, and working on special projects such as building a treehouse, restoring and taking care of cars, riding go karts and snowmobiles, and working on his many tractors. Gilbert''s love of family extended beyond his immediate family. In the last decade of his life, St. Joseph''s Indian School became his primary philanthropic work. He enjoyed many correspondences with the students and found great joy in his support for the school. Gilbert''s deep faith was expressed through many of the non- profits and aid organizations that he supported. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ramona; daughters Sandy Guth and Vickie (Chad)Taylor; grandchildren, Alex Ehrich (Joelle Van Gaalen), Joshua Guth (Liz Burnette), Jonathan Taylor (Shelby), Jade Taylor, Kellan Ehrich and Tristan Guth; siblings Donald Ehrich of Seattle, WA and Elaine Ehrich of CA; many nieces and nephews. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Elmer Ehrich (Bernice) and sister, Leona Harpestad (Gordy).