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Edith “Edie” Gahre (80) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 3, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with diabetes. Edie was born September 13, 1944 to Oskar and Tonette (Nilsen) Gahre (both immigrants from Norway) in Staten Island, New York. She was the youngest of three sisters, Torbjorg and Janet.
Though Edie grew up in Staten Island, she had the unique opportunity to spend time living at her grandparents’ farm in Mosvold, Norway as a toddler and then again as a teenager which produced some of her most cherished memories and deepened her love of her Norwegian heritage. She attended Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN for a portion of her high school education. During her time at Hillcrest, God blessed Edie with a deepening faith and many lifelong friends. She graduated in 1962 from Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, New York.
After high school, Edie worked in lower Manhattan for U.S. Steel as a secretary and, in later years, worked as a caregiver and held various employment positions in the health care, hotel, and retail industries.
Edie was gifted with many artistic talents. She was accomplished at knitting and all types of needlework. One could not tell the front side from the back side of her handiwork, a skill she learned from her mother early on. She excelled at baking, decorating, gardening, rosemaling, and ceramics. Many of her family and friends were recipients of the numerous items she made or baked.
In addition to her talents, Edie’s interests included skating, skiing, church, Bible studies, listening to music, reading, spending time at the beach, and traveling.
Most importantly, Edie had an unwavering saving faith in Jesus Christ. Her class motto from her senior year at Hillcrest was “Looking Unto Jesus” and she did just that, looking unto Jesus and seeing His faithfulness throughout her life. Her favorite Bible passage was Psalm 23, and among her favorite songs were Amazing Grace, and Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Edith was preceded in death by her parents, sister Torbjorg Donoch, and brother-in-law, Erik Ambjor. She is survived by her children, Heidi (Mike) Sikorski, and Frank (Charis) Russel; grandchildren Jeptha, Acadia, and Zinnia; sister Janet Ambjor; brother-in-law, Bill Donoch; and many nieces and nephews.
She loved the Lord Jesus, her family, and friends and will be dearly missed.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
In remembrance of Edith Gahre’s life, charitable donations may be made to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy: https://www.ffhillcrest.org/give
For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.