Dorothy Mae “Toots” Gehlhausen, 85, of Ferdinand

Dorothy was born April 7, 1933 in St. Meinrad to Anthony & 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 of Schnellville; one son, Gary (Barb) Gehlhausen of Ferdinand; 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 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, MI., 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 10:30 AM Tuesday February 12th in Christ the king parish, St. Ferdinand Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8:00 PM Wednesday February 6th at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand and after 9:00 AM Tuesday February 12 at the church.