Howard Robin Gehrett

Howard Robin Gehrett, the son of George Henry and Nancy Ellen (Hood) Gehrett, died February 28, 2011 at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato. Howard was born October 21, 1908 on a farm near Eureka, Greenwood Co., Kansas, and came to Jewell Co. with his parents and four siblings when he was 3 years old. The family moved from Greenwood Co. because the soil was “hard pan”; his father found Jewell County’s soil better for farming. Howard attended the schools in the area and graduated from Mankato High School.

Howard and Lucille Irene Huntsinger, the daughter of Ira and Florence Mae (Shively) Huntsinger, were married on April 4, 1931 in the Cloud County Courthouse, Concordia and celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary before Lucille passed, on April 27, 2008. The couple really wanted to marry on the 3rd of April, Lucille’s grandmother’s birthday, but Lucille’s father did not want them to get married on a Friday because it would “bring bad luck”. The most important event in Howard and Lucille’s lives was the adoption of their son, Richard Wyn.

Howard began working for Metz Packing Co., Mankato in 1928 and in 1935 they moved to Concordia where he continued to work for Metz. He served his country and was a veteran of WWII. In 1957 they moved to Greenville, Mississippi where for the next 20 plus years they lived in Greenville, Collins and Carthage, Mississippi and Howard worked for the U.S. government grading and supervising the grading of eggs and poultry. He retired in 1978 after being in the poultry business almost 50 years. In 1986 he and Lucille returned to Mankato where they made their home for the rest of their lives.

Before Howard moved into the Jewell County Convalescent Home, he enjoyed having coffee and solving the world’s problems with his buddies. He also enjoyed playing pool. Card games were a delight even though he was quite competitive and hated to lose.

Preceding Howard in death were his loving wife, parents, and siblings (Homer, Floyd, Mildred and Wilma). He is survived by his son and wife, Richard Wyn and Patsy Gehrett of Maylene, AL, four grandchildren: Richard W. Gehrett, Jr., Rodney L. Gehrett, Russell L. Gehrett, and Rebecca Jones Maund, nine great grandchildren and twenty two nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be (was) held, Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. for Howard R. and Lucille I. (Huntsinger) Gehrett, at the Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Inurnment followed in the cemetery. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.