Member of the Teutonia Lodge 367 FA&M
Gordon Rudolph Anke, 83, formerly of Muhlenberg Park and most recently of Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5th, at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, PA.
Gordon was born in Reading, PA on September 20, 1933, daughter of the late Margarete J. (Stimpel) and Rudolph G. Anke. Gordon was the husband of the late Rigmor I. (Aronsson) Anke who passed away on August 8, 2016. They met at the Reading Liederkranz German Club and were married in her hometown of Vasteras, Sweden with 13 members of the Reading Liederkranz in attendance. They were married for 51 years.
Gordon is survived by two daughters, Karen M., wife of Marc R. Levengood, of Sinking Spring, PA; and Kirsten M. Anke, of Forest Hill, Maryland. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Riley Nicole, Keira Marie and Jared Thomas Levengood.
Gordon graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School, NJ in 1951 and from Albright College, Reading, PA in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1962 and was aboard the U.S.S. Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16). Gordon worked as a Pricing Coordinator at East Penn Manufacturing Company from where he retired in 2000.
A life-long active member of Saint John's Lutheran Church, Reading, he with his wife received the Eagle Award in 1995 for outstanding volunteer service. He was a life-long student of the German language and with his wife, received the Friend of German Award in 2007 “for outstanding support for and promotion of German and the study of German” from the American Association of Teachers of German.
Gordon was an honorary member of the Reading Liederkranz and served as Financial Secretary for 34 years, the longest running officer position ever held by any member. He was also a 50+ year member of the Reading Liederkranz Singers along with his wife.
Gordon was Past Master of the Teutonia Lodge #367 F&AM, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1984 and was an active member of the Fraternity for 40 years. Gordon was also actively involved in the Evergreen Country Club, the Pennsylvania United Federation of Singers, the American Legion Gregg Post #12, the Historical Society of Berks County and was a charter member of the Viking Lodge #735, VASA Order of America.
Friends are invited to call Thursday March 9th from 6-8PM at the Feeney Funeral Home, Reading, PA. A Masonic service will be held at 7pm.
Friends are also invited to call on Friday March 10th from 10-11AM at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 521 Walnut Street Reading, PA. A religious service will follow at 11AM and will be officiated by Pastor Sonja Ware of Saint John’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors at the Laureldale Cemetery Reading, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Saint John's Lutheran Church Attn: Don Reber 521 Walnut Street Reading, PA 19601; or the Reading Liederkranz Singers Attn: Harriet Clauser PO Box 4338 Reading, PA 19606; or the Swedish Viking Lodge # 735, VASA Order of America. Attn: Linda Michelson, 1101 W. Jubilee Street. Emmaus, PA 18049.
Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, in Reading's Centre Park Historic District 625 N 4th St at Centre Ave (Route 61) Reading, PA 19601. Obituary, directions and condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com
