Geraldine R. Gerke, 89, of Tomah died Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Elroy Health Service, surrounded by her family.
She was born to Lyle and Gertrude (Mistle) Henry in Tomah. She was a member of the Tomah Senior High School graduating class of 1954. She was united in marriage to Wesley Gerke on Nov. 12, 1954, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 1998. Together they farmed in the Town of Ridgeville, where they won many awards for their farming and “Farmer of the Year.” Geraldine also worked off the farm at Fort McCoy. She was phone operator #9, and then worked in supply until her retirement. She sorted cranberries at Habelman Brothers Co. for 20 years.
She enjoyed playing cards and playing bingo. She enjoyed bowling and played on a league team with her daughters Barb, Cheryl, and Gail, and her granddaughter Rachel, and the last year of going to the state tournament was when she was 70. She was named the Bowling Grand Dutchess. She enjoyed working with her hands and knitted and crochet. She made Afghans for her grandchildren, prayer shawls to raise people spirits, and hat and mittens for the troops. She was an ADRC – RSVP Volunteer and won the 2021 Governor’s Service Award for her gifts to the troops.
She also volunteered at the Tomah Senior Center, museums, and the Tomah Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. She was member of the American Legion Wilton Auxiliary for 50 years and a faithful member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. She had a generous, giving, and loving personality; wherever she went, she made a friend or knew a friend. She was a proud mother and loved her nine children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her nine children, Tom (Denise Hruby) Gerke of Tomah, Terry (Peggy) Gerke of Norwalk, Sandy (Rollie) Campfield of Kendall, Susie (Jim) Friedl of Elroy, Barb (Gary) Sime of Wilton, David (significant other, Cam Huschka) Gerke of Elroy, Cheryl (Mark) Stees of Tomah, Brian Gerke of Wilton, and Gail (Kitt) Storkel of Tomah; 13 grandchildren, Nicole (Steve) Concordia, Jana (Mike) Wuensch, Jared Friedl, Ross (Jenean) Friedl, Rachel (Josh) Winrich, Mitch Sime, Matt (Alyssa) Stees, Nolan Stees, Brody Gerke, Garret Gerke, Sydney Gerke, Brooke (Taylor) Graphenteen, and August Storkel; 14 great-grandchildren, Alex, William, Quentin and Alexandra Concordia, Abigayle Janke and Austen Wuensch, Noah, Ally and Parker Friedl, Brycen, Kaden, and Lyla Friedl, Bayley and Ryley Winrich and Bentley Graphenteen; a great-great-granddaughter, Adeline Jahnke; a sister, Sharon (Floyd) Organ; a brother, Bob (Esther) Henry; a brother-in-law, Martin (Darlene) Gerke; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Ray “Bud” (Lenore) Henry, William (Gladys) Henry, Jean (Ray) Bowers, Lloyd (Arliss) Henry, Howard (Lena) Henry, and Jim Henry; and her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bob (Lavonne) Gerke, Deloris (Elmer) Grabitske, Reatha (Merwin) Wyatt, Virgil Gerke, and Al (Ruth) Gerke.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 21693 County Hwy. A, Tomah. Pastor Robert Gerke will officiate. Burial will follow at South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilfyfh.com. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
