Sharell Gehrke

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sharell Gehrke, who left us on August 28, 2024, at the age of 85.
Sharell was a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was born on June 27, 1939 in Grand Rapids, Mich. to Judson and Mary Alice (Van Tassel) Watrous. She moved to Ann Arbor shortly thereafter and lived there and surrounding areas for over 80 years.

Sharell graduated from St. Thomas High School and entered the Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit. Following graduation in 1960, she was employed by St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for approximately 40 years as well as the U of M Hospital. While living in Saginaw, she headed a program for at-risk students and also functioned as the school nurse for Saginaw Township Schools.

She loved nursing and being the oldest of seven children prepared her for the profession of helping others. Her empathy and dedication in her professional life were a reflection of the same qualities she brought to friendships.

She was a previous president of the Ann Arbor Jaycee Auxiliary and district vice president of the same.

In 1961 she married Jerry (Vicki) Mummery and they welcomed her two most prized persons, daughters Lisa (Raymond) Brown and Cynthia (Craig) Coburn and was so proud of the kind, compassionate women they had become.In 1990 she married Charles Gehrke, M.D. and became stepmom to James (Coleen), Karl and Mark (Carolyn) Gehrke.

In addition to “her girls” and “her boys,” she is survived by seven grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew, Zachary, Nathan, Cayla, Anna and Claire as well as five great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are her brother, Thomas (Lena) Watrous; sisters, Mary Carol (Tom) Kling and Patricia (Don) Spence; as well as her numerous Amazon Prime delivery drivers.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Marilyn Watrous, Susan Watrous and Linda Jeffries.

Sharell was an avid reader and loved working outside in her various gardens. She will continue to live on through the countless lives she touched and the enduring love of her family. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for her generous spirit, kindness, empathy and the joy she brought to those around her.

Sharell will be interned with her late husband at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh in a private ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tecumseh Public Library, Faith Hospice in Grand Rapids or a local food bank.