VERONA - Gotthold Reinhart Gerke went to his heavenly home on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004, at St. Marys Hospital, Madison. He died as he lived, surrounded by his family. The son of August and Marie Gerke, Gotthold was born on Sept. 19, 1919, in the town of Brigham. While farming on his father's farm, he met the teacher of his brother and sister, who was to become his lifelong partner. On June 14, 1943, he married Marion Jones at the St. James Lutheran Church Parsonage in Verona. They farmed in Barneveld and Verona for more than 25 years. They then moved to Verona in 1968. He worked for the Village of Verona in the public works department until his retirement in 1986. He loved attending sporting and music events of his children and grandchildren in high school and college. He rarely missed a wrestling match, football, basketball, or Softball game of his children and grandchildren. He continued to be a spectator and cheer on the local teams after his children and grandchildren graduated. Gotthold was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Verona FFA alumni, a 4-H leader, church council member, a board member of the Verona Cemetery and a long standing member of the Verona Fire Department. He enjoyed camping, visiting neighbors from his farming communities and being with his family. He also enjoyed having family members along while going for rides through the countryside and reminiscing about old friends and neighbors. He is survived by six children, Diann (Maynard) Chapman of Verona, Thomas (Janine) Gerke of Mount Horeb, Lois (Terry) Baumeister of Blue Mounds, Randall (Nancy) Gerke of Verona, Rodney (Donna) Gerke of St. Louis, Mo., and Pamela Gerke of Verona; 10 grandchildren, Nicole Chapman of Cross Plains, Jared Chapman of Chicago, 111., Benjamin Gerke of Oregon, Brian Gerke of Evansville, Abby Baumeister of Oregon, Terri Jo Baumeister of Blue Mounds, Brenna Gerke of Lahaina, Hawaii, August Gerke of Verona, and Lucas and Molly Gerke of St. Louis, Mo., a great-grandchild, Jamisen Baumeister of Oregon; three sisters, Ruth Monum of Stoughlon, Dorothy Oehrle of La Crosse, Marie Severson of Black Earth; a brother, Franklin Gerke of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; parents; a grandson, Geoffrey Gerke; brother, Henry Gerke; and two sisters, Anna Kempfer and Sophie Huseth.

Burial will be at the Verona Cemetery.

A precious one has left us, a voice we love is stilled. An empty place is in our lives, that never can be filled. It breaks our heart to lose him, but we know he is at peace and reunited with mom for Christmas. We'll miss you dad and love you always.

Wisconsin State Journal
December 26, 2004