SPARTA - Geraldine “Geri” M. Schiller, 80, of Sparta, died Friday, February 9, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones, at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta. She was born on October 22, 1943, in the Town of Jefferson, Monroe County, on the family farm to Anton P. “Tony” and Regina (Schaub) Schreier. She grew up on St. Mary’s Ridge and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1961.
Geri moved to Sparta and worked at Northern Engraving, where she met Jim Schiller. On October 19, 1963, she married Jim at St. Mary’s Ridge Catholic Church. They lived in Sparta their entire married lives. Geri worked at Spartek and Fort McCoy as a cook. She also was a cook for Sparta Community Daycare and at St Patrick’s School until she retired in 2005.
Because Geri battled through cancer herself for over 30 years, she volunteered her time as an original member and board member of SACS. She was also a member of West Beaver Creek Community Club and a member and officer of St. Patrick’s PCCW.
Geri was known in the community to be a kind-hearted woman with a smile on her face at all times. She was a big supporter of her family’s extracurricular activities. She loved going on vacation with Jim and their multiple friends including many trips in “the party van.” She loved watching her hummingbirds outside her front window - whenever we see a hummingbird, she will always be in our thoughts.
With Jim being a truck driver, they had a CB base set in the living room. As Jim (Big Brother) would head over the Tomah Hill, he would call out to his loving wife, “Busy Beaver - I’m comin’ home.” Another important trait that Geri had was that she was always willing to have her many nieces and nephews overnight or for the week. Her nieces and nephews have many memories of these special moments including the treats she would make and laughs they would hear from the kitchen. Geri was a wonderful homemaker and created a beautiful life for Jim and Jamie.
Geri is survived by her husband, Jim of Sparta; daughter, Jamie (Randy) Adams of Sparta; grandson, Dalton Mayer of Sparta; siblings, Norbert Schreier of Cashton, Lambert Schreier of Sparta, and Rita (Lowell) Verkler of Sparta; sisters-in-law, Judy Schreier of Cashton; Jeanne Gratzl of Chicago, IL; Joanne (Brian) Bernett of Sparta; and Mary Kay (Steve) Havey Lake Geneva, WI; 10 godchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son Steven and another infant son; siblings, Julia Leis, Dorothy Schreier, Donald Schreier, Paul Schreier, Darlene Wolfe, and LaVern “Butch” Schreier; and mother and father-in-law, Harold and Rosella Schiller.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Saturday February 17, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with rosary at 6:45 p.m. on Friday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www. schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
