Ryan Charles Gehrke of Salina passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at his home. Ryan was born to Leon and Violet (Hollis) Gehrke of rural Delphos, the youngest of four children, on January 30, 1960 at Asbury Hospital in Salina.


When Ryan was three, the family moved into Delphos at 215 Main. Ryan was in the first Kindergarten class to be held in the Delphos School. When Ryan became a sophomore, he attended high school in Minneapolis because of the consolidation in 1966. He graduated from Minneapolis High School with the class of 1978 and graduated from Salina Vo-Tech the following year.


Ryan loved adventure and worked in many facets of life, always experiencing a different trade: truck driver, two manned with his brother Kenny; carpenter; part business owner of a construction firm; and sheet metal fabrication. Working at Rolling Hills Zoo in maintenance was another great experience he loved. It gave him such pleasure seeing the exotic animals and the beautiful setting every day. His best friend and longtime companion was his dog, Fred, who will spend eternity with him.


At a very young age, Ryan's dad bought him a small motorcycle and he was hooked for life. Always getting bigger and better bikes as the years passed. Ryan, his brother Kenny, and cousin Jeff Hollis ran motocross races together under the direction of Dad and Uncle Dean.


Ryan was introduced to bungee jumping and sky diving followed. He skydived from Kansas to Florida, from California to Arizona and always made the World Free Fall Convention in Quincy, IL during the summer. He loved to fly with his Dad so be bought a small ultra light aircraft and learned to fly his own plane.


After Leon passed away, he moved back to Salina to be closer to his Mother and Siblings.


Our hearts broke the evening Sherry and Mom found Ryan gone but he will forever live in the many fun memories he left with all of us.


He was preceded in death by his father, Leon, and his brother-in-law Steve Walton.


Survivors include his mother Violet Gehrke of Minneapolis; sister Sherry Walton of Concordia, brother Kenny Gehrke and his wife Eva of Long Island, and sister Kay Bronson and her husband Jack of Glenview, IL; nephews Shane Walton and wife Amanda, Scott Walton and wife Maya, Seth Walton and wife Naomi, Chase Hires, and Hutch Gehrke; nieces Shanielle Walton Wenzl and husband Clint, Telisha Gehrke, Kasey Gehrke Windhorst and husband Cole, Nakia Hires Joutras and husband Dave; and 14 great nieces and nephews.

Rest in peace our beloved Ryan; you will be in our hearts forever.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. Family inurnment services will be in the Delphos Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Sunday at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Memorials may be made in Ryan's name and will be designated at a later date.