Eva Gnotke obit

Eva Marie Gnotke, 98, of Red Wing and formerly of Lake City, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Valentine’s Assisted Living in Red Wing. She was born July 10, 1925, in Glasgow Township near Kellogg, Minn. overlooking Cooks Valley on Rutz Hill to Edward and Elsie (Schumacher) Rutz. She was baptized at St. John’s Church in Lake City on August 25, 1925. Eva attended School District 101 in the valley and Scotch Settlement School District 21 after moving to rural Lake City on October 8, 1936, attending through the 8th grade in 1938. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Evangelical School on May 28, 1939. On September 14, 1943, she married Ernest Gottlieb Gnotke at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
 After marriage they farmed in the West Albany area from 1943 through 1969, she loved the farm and horses which she drove on all the farm machinery. Eva organized the KYN (Know Your Neighbor) Club in 1948. She also organized the West Albany Winners 4-H Club in 1957 and was a leader for several years. In 1969 the Gnotke’s retired from farming and moved to 421 Irving Street in Lake City. Ernest worked at DiAcro until his retirement and Eva worked and retired from Zero King Sportswear. Ernest died December 5, 1985, after 33 years of heart problems. His daughter had become engaged to John Schroeder.
After the marriage of their youngest daughter Lila to John Schroeder a special relationship developed with John’s father, Robert Schroeder and on September 26, 1987, they were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church, her second September marriage at that altar.  They enjoyed traveling the USA and Canada together. Robert died of bladder cancer on January 14, 1996. After Robert’s death Eva moved to Pepin Apartments in March of 1996. At Pepin Apartments Eva cared for the many flower beds, one of her many hobbies.
Eva also loved to sew, was a fantastic photographer taking some wedding photos and family reunion photos. She was a member of the Lake City VFW Ladies Auxiliary from 1968 to present, also was a member of the Lake City Senior Citizens for many years. She joined Bethany Lutheran Church in 2011. Eva cherished the time spent with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren most of all.
Eva is survived by her children: Linda (Lloyd) Hyberger of Lake City, Marcia Petrich of Rochester, Lila Schroeder of Lake City, Elwood (Char) Gnotke of Lake City, Ronald (Elaine) Gnotke of Hudson, Wis., David (Deb) Gnotke of Goodhue, stepdaughter, Marilyn Stevens of Kilkenny; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, a daughter, grandson, stepson, brother, sister, and great-grandson.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lake City with Pastor Steven Frentz officiating. Burial will follow the service in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Lake City. Friends and family may visit from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.