Eleanor Leona Gehrig

Eleanor Leona Gehrig, 93, of Lake Charles passed away at 3:43 AM on Saturday, February 13, 2016 in her residence.

Mrs. Gehrig was born on March 26, 1922 in Milwaukee, WI.  She and her husband owned and worked together a meat processing plant in Milwaukee and  family restaurant for several years in Menomonee Falls, WI before moving to Lake Charles in 1972.  Upon moving, they opened the McDonald's on Prien Lake Road.  In 1990 she moved away from Lake Charles to several locations to be with her daughters which included Peach Tree City, GA, Clermont, FL, and Houston, TX, before returning here six years ago. 

During her life she was able to enjoy extensive traveling with her husband, and then her daughter.  Mrs. Gehrig loved cleaning house and took pride in a clean home.  She had a green thumb and enjoyed growing plants and flowers, especially orchids.  Most of all she adored her grandchildren and cherished the time spent with them.

Those left to cherish her memory are seven children, Donna Dyson (Paul Frauenhoffer) of Orlando, FL, Melvin Gehrig, Jr. (Natalie) of Lake Charles, Carol Ann Gehrig of Tomball, TX, Doug Gehrig (Gay) of Lake Charles, Darrell Gehrig of Scottsdale, AZ, Gary Gehrig (Trudy) of Lake Charles, and Dale Gehrig (Pat) of Salt Lake City, UT; twelve grandchildren, Hardin Hawes, Derryn Dyson, Stacey Tweedle, Timothy Gehrig (Siegen), Johanna Zuehls (Samuel), Nicole Grant, Elizabeth Felder (Andrew), Emily Thomas (Robert), Barbara Havlik (Douglas), Krystal Gehrig, Nicholas Gehrig (Molly), and Bradley Gehrig, Erin Gehrig; and Eleanor had 14 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Gehrig, Sr.; father, Emil Jackl born in Yugoslavia; mother, Anna Blaschke Jackl born in Poland; and  a brother, William Jackl.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Seth Donald officiating.  Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery.  A gathering will begin on Sunday at 2:00 PM until the start of the service.