Jeanette Gehrke

Anson, Maine – Jeanette Audrey (Ricker) Wacome Gehrke passed away January 31, 2025. She was born in Meriden, CT on July 22, 1935, the oldest daughter of Harry Linwood and Gertrude Alice (Savage) Ricker. She attended Anson Academy in North Anson, and graduated valedictorian in 1954.

Jeanette first married Franklin (Wayne) Roosevelt Tyler in 1956 until his death. She then married Everett Alton Wacome and together had three children, Kathyrn (Wacome) Petley, Kerry Wacome, and Kelly (Wacome) Emery. On December 7, 1991, she married Howard Gehrke and joined him on the road during his cross-country long-haul trucking trips. They initially made their home for 10 years in Shippensburg, PA before moving back to Maine. They loved antiquing, and started Madeline’s Flea Market in Madison. After retiring, they loved taking trips to Pennsylvania to visit friends and wintering in Nahunta, GA and Zephyr Hills, FL.

Jeanette worked in nursing and enjoyed many passions such as travelling, sewing and quilting, gardening, tending to her houseplants, playing card games, birdwatching, and genealogy. She was an avid reader of novels. She also took great delight in cooking, especially exploring new recipes through her vast collection of cookbooks, often reading them cover to cover. Her love for animals was equally strong, and throughout her life, she had a number of dogs who held a special place in her heart. A member of the Community United Methodist Church in North Anson, she found strength and comfort in her faith.

Survivors include her children Kathryn Petley of Clinton, Kerry Wacome of Anson, and Kelly Emery (Bruce) of Norridgewock; brothers Duane Ricker of Madison and Bruce Ricker (Colleen) of Pennacook, NH. She had 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents, husbands Franklin, Everett, and Howard, sister Carol (Ricker) and brother-in-law Roy Mullin of Embden, sister-in-law Janice Ricker of Madison, and son-in-law Gary Petley of Clinton.

A private burial is planned and at her request, there will be no memorial services.

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