Sylvia Jean Gelking

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Sylvia (Rue) Gelking, 73, of Fargo, ND passed away on August 6, 2023 at Essentia Health in Fargo, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family.

Sylvia Jean Gelking was born on November 1, 1949 in Fosston, MN to Lloyd and Lillian (Hagen) Rue. She was baptized and confirmed at Kingo Lutheran Church and attended Magelssen Elementary School in Fosston and Fosston High School. She earned a 12 year perfect attendance award at the time of her high school graduation in 1967. Sylvia continued her education at Moorhead State College (now named Minnesota State University Moorhead), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1971. She started her teaching career in the fall of 1971 at Fosston Public Schools, first as a Learning Disabilities teacher and later having her own classroom of First Grade students for several years. On May 20, 1989 she married Victor Gelking at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston. They purchased a home in south Fargo and Sylvia continued teaching in Fosston for several years, commuting between there and Fargo. Sylvia spent her entire career teaching in Fosston, retiring in 2006.

During her elementary and high school years Sylvia was a member of both band and choir. Her love of music continued throughout her life, singing in church choir or as a soloist or in small ensembles or playing her guitar. She was a talented artist, superb baker and cook and enjoyed preparing meals and treats for others. Sylvia enjoyed any time she could get together with family as spending time with them was so special for her. She and Victor did a great deal of traveling while they were married and of course there was dancing and flying involved whenever possible. Sylvia was a very loving and caring person with unlimited generosity for all, making her the perfect teacher, friend and family member.

Blessed be her memory.

Sylvia is survived by brother, Roger (Linda) Rue, Kent, WA; sister, Elaine (David) Bertils, Fertile, MN; brother, Gordon Rue and Sharon Karr, Fosston, MN; brother, Larry Rue, Crookston, MN; sister, Pamela (James) Tiede, Cottage Grove, MN; step-daughters, Debra Cunningham, Surprise, AZ; Vicki Holler, Fargo, ND; Sherry Carpenter, West Fargo, ND; Nancy (James) Naylor, Fargo, ND; several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many other loving relatives and friends.

Sylvia is preceded in death by parents Lloyd and Lillian Rue; husband, Victor Gelking; sister, Jackie Rogers; step-grandson, Jared Cunningham; nephew, Scott Bertils; nephew, Garrett Rogers.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 12 at 11:00 a.m., Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and Memory Sharing at 10:30a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo. The Funeral service will be live streamed. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are with Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo.

Donations can be made in Sylvia’s memory to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.