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 November 12, 1954, at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He preceded her in death on February 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 Ft. McCoy. She was phone operator #9, then worked in supply until her retirement. She sorted cranberry’s 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 spirts, and hat and mittens for the troops. She was an ADRC - RSVP Volunteer and won the 2021 Governors 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 Ev. 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 9 children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her 9 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, Janna (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, and Quintan Concordia, Abigal Janke and Austin Wuensch, Noah, Ally and Parker Friedl, Brycen, Kaden, and Lyla Friedl, Bayley and Ryley Winrich and Bentley Graphenteen, a sister Sharon (Floyd) Organ, a brother Bob (Esther) Henry, a brother-in-law Martin (Darlene) Gerke, many other nieces, nephews and 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, Jim Henry, 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 held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 21693 County Hwy A, Tomah. Pastor Robert Gerke 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 9:00 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.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
