Dorothy Mae “Toots” Gehlhausen, 85, Ferdinand

Dorothy Mae “Toots” Gehlhausen, 85, of Ferdinand, passed away, Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper.

Dorothy was born April 7, 1933, in St. Meinrad to Anthony and Marietta (Wiederkehr) Vaal and foster parents, Robert T. and Mildred F. (Gogel) Vaal. Dorothy married Leo F. “Junie” Gehlhausen on November 15, 1952, in St. Meinrad Archabbey Church. He preceded her in death on October 28, 2004.

Dorothy was a member of Christ the King Parish, St. Ferdinand Church and
its St. Ann’s Sodality. She enjoyed playing cards, being with her grandkids and taking care of her flowers.

Dorothy is survived by five daughters, Brenda (Jim) Hildenbrand, Linda Verkamp and Carol Klem, all of Ferdinand, Peggy (Mark) Hildenbrand of Fulda and Nancy (Mark) Welp, both of Schnellville; one son, Gary
(Barb) Gehlhausen of Ferdinand; 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bettye (Leroy) Greulich of St. Meinrad, Barbara (Charles Watts) Bennett of Hartford, Ky., Antoinette “Toni” Mundy of Nicholasville, Ky., Norma Amos of Huntingburg, Kathy (Bill) Hopf of Jasper, Ruthie (Rich) Clark and Connie (Randy) Hildenbrand, both of Ferdinand; brothers, Jerome Vaal of Carmel, Elmer “Tony” (Linda) Vaal of Stanwood, Mich., Jim (Clara Mae) Vaal of Ferdinand and sister-in-law, Janet Vaal of
St. Meinrad.

She was preceded in death by two son-in-laws, Paul Klem and Paul Verkamp, one brother, Raymond Vaal.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2019, in Christ the King Parish, St. Ferdinand Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand and after 9:00 a.m. Tuesday February 12, 2019, at the church.

Online condolences may be shared at www.becherfuneralhome.com.