Darryl Gatzke

A funeral service for Darryl Gatzke, 82, of Plevna, will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna, MT with Pastor Scott Kiehn officiating. Burial will follow in Peace Lutheran Cemetery.


Visitation for Darryl will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT with a prayer service taking place at 7:00 p.m.


Darryl passed away at Billings Clinic in Billings, MT on Friday, April 27, 2018.


Darryl A. Gatzke was born in DeSart, ND, on May 26, 1935 to Henry and Rocella (Anderson) Gatzke. He was the middle of eleven children. Darryl attended country school and New England High School graduating in 1953. After graduation, Darryl helped his brother drill wells in the winter and worked on the farm with his other brothers in the summer. He also joined the army reserves for 7 years, completing basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Darryl married Arlene Pladsen in Bowman, ND, on October 26, 1961. They moved to Milwaukee, WI where Darryl continued to help his brother Art drill wells. The couple moved back to Bowman seven months later and rented a small farm where they milked cows. In 1962, their first son, Duane, was born. Together they moved to a farm between Plevna and Baker in 1965. In 1966, their second son, Alan was born. In 1970, the family then purchased a farm south of Plevna and have made their home there ever since.


Darryl farmed and ranched in the Plevna area over 40 years and was an active member in the community.  He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Plevna Senior Citizens, and had served on the Board of Directors for Farmers Union Oil.


Darryl is survived by his wife, Arlene Gatzke of Plevna, MT; two sons, Duane (Beth) Gatzke of Kent, WA, and Alan (Ferrin) Gatzke of Bainbridge Island, WA; one granddaughter, Alaina Gatzke of Bainbridge Island, WA; three brothers, Art Gatzke of Pahrump, NV, Ben (Anita) Gatzke of New England, ND and Gordy (Lorraine) Gatzke of Bismarck, ND; two sisters, Annabelle (Vernon) Fuchs of Bowman, ND, and Barbara Schneider of Glen Ullin, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.


He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Millie; and four brothers, Robert, Herbert, Richard, and Clifford.


Gatzke Darryl


Burial Date: May 2, 2018
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna, MT
Visitation: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT
Prayer Service: taking place at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT