Gerhard “Gerry” A. Clair, 88, of Watertown, Wis., formerly of Menomonee Falls, Wis., died Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011, at Marquardt Manor, with his daughter and family by his side.
The son of the late Vernie and Margaret (Kisser) Clair, he was born May 1, 1923, in Wilton.
As a young man, he was known for playing his harmonica and guitar (known as the “Ragged Strummer”). He owned and rode several different Harley motorcycles.
Gerhard married Georgene Baudry on Sept. 3, 1955, in Rockford, Ill. They lived in Rockford from 1955 to 1969, and then moved to Menomonee Falls, Wis. In March 2009, following his double knee replacement, he and his wife moved to Riverwood Assisted Living in Watertown.
He was employed by Sundstrand/Falk in Rockford and later in Milwaukee, retiring in the late 1980s.
He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Germantown, Wis., where he volunteered after his retirement, and, more recently, he had been a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake Mills, Wis., since moving.
He enjoyed fixing things such as radios, TVs, lawnmowers, snowplows, and cars. He was always outside, working on cars and engines.
He always liked to be “on the go.” He enjoyed frequently taking his wife on trips to visit family and friends in Wilton, Fond du Lac, and Rockford.
He loved to go out to eat and was a regular at the McDonald’s in Menomonee Falls, meeting his friends for breakfast. After moving to Watertown, he liked riding his red scooter around town and was also well known at Hardees.
Gerry was a very gregarious, personable and caring individual. He would do whatever it took to help others out and was loved by everyone with whom he came into contact.
Survivors include his wife, Georgene of Watertown; his daughter, Betty (David) Kriege of Johnson Creek, Wis.; two granddaughters, Kimberly (fiancé Sean Miller) Kriege of Madison and Emily Kriege of Johnson Creek; one sister, Eunice Johnson of Waukesha, Wis.; one brother-in-law, Lee Johnson of Waukesha; one niece, Jackie Johnson of Waukesha; one nephew, Terry Johnson of North Dakota; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake Mills, with Rev. Neil Partington officiating. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. The Claussen Funeral Home in Lake Mills assisted the family with arrangements.
