Paula Gerwing, 63, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Tomah passed away Oct. 11, 2013, in Fort Myers.
She was born March 25, 1950, to Donald and Vera (Michel) Kremmer. She was a 1968 graduate of Tomah High School. Paula attended nurse’s training in La Crosse and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Viterbo.
Paula was united in marriage to Stanley Gerwing on June 8, 1974, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. She proudly served in the United States Army Reserves. She began her career as a registered nurse at the Tomah Veterans Administration Hospital, where she retired from in 2011. Paula later retired as a major from the Army Reserves. Following retirement, she worked part time at the Morrow Home in Sparta.
Together Paula and Stan loved traveling and spent half of the year in Florida. In her spare time, she enjoyed flowers, gardening and antiques. She had a contagious laugh that would draw you in. She made a memorable footprint for everyone she met. One of her favorite sayings was, “Love, love, love.” Paula was loved as a wife, mother, nurse, soldier, veteran’s advocate and friend.
She is survived by her husband, Stan; her daughters, Allycia Gerwing and Arianne Gerwing; a brother, Don (Nancy) Kremmer; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Vera, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Alvera Gerwing.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch will officiate. Burial with full military honors by Tomah American Legion Post 201 will follow in South Ridge Cemetery, town of Wellington.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
