GERALD STERRENBURG

Gerald "Jerry" Sterrenburg, CPO, USCG Retired
Jerry Sterrenburg, age 83, a resident of 1453 N. 10th St., Manitowoc, entered
into eternal life on Thursday, March 15, 2007, at Aurora Medical Center in Two
Rivers after a brief battle with cancer.
Jerry was born Aug. 13, 1923, in Kimberly, Idaho to the late Marienus and
Beatrice (Haxton) Sterrenburg. He was a lifelong servant of God and his country.
He began service to his country in 1940, by joining the Civil Conservation Corps.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and served during World War II in
Alaska and on the USS Middleton in the South Pacific. He continued his service
in the USCG retiring in 1964. He served as Chief at the Two Rivers Station from
1956-61. He married the former Elizabeth Rose Klusmeyer on Oct. 19, 1957, at
First German Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was also Baptized and Confirmed
in Christ by Reverend Koeninger. Jerry was employed at the Manitowoc County Health
Care Center as Chief Maintenance Engineer from 1966-86. He was an active member of
First German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc where he had served on many
committees and the school board. Jerry was very active in Veteran affairs. He was
the founder, member and past president of Chapter 37 of The Retired Enlisted
Association (TREA); member of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association,
American Legion Post 88, VFW Otto-Oas Post 659, AMVET Post 99, Coast Guard Combat
Veterans Association, Coast Sea Veterans, National Association for Uniformed Services.
U.S. Naval Institute, American Military Society, National World War II Memorial; and
served as a board member for the Coast Guard Museum in Two Rivers at its inception.
He was a member of the National Association of Power Engineers until his retirement
in 1986. Manitowoc area organizations include: Lakeshore Humane society, Woodland
Dunes Nature Center, Manitowoc County Historical Society, Manitowoc Senior Center,
and especially the YMCA. He enjoyed photography, gardening, walking, swimming,
playing Scrabble, and above all enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his
family.
(Survivors omitted for privacy.) He will be joined in Heaven by his parents; three
brothers: Robert Sterrenburg; Roy and George Phillips; one sister: Betty Williams;
father and mother-in-law: Edwin and Hertha Klusmeyer; two brothers-in-law: Fred
and Henry Klusmeyer; Coast Guard buddy and best Friend: Bernard "Bud" Stokesberry,
who nicknamed him "Slim", and also his faithful dog: Cocoa.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at the
Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home from 4 until 8 p.m. A prayer service will be held
by the Rev. Steven Hahm at 7:30 p.m. with a memorial video tribute to follow.
The visitation will continue on Monday at First German Evangelical Lutheran church
from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Steven Hahm
will officiate with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Military rites will be
accorded by Coast Guard Station Two Rivers and VFW Otto-Oas Post 659.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First German Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Manitowoc Lutheran High School, or the Lakeshore Humane Society.
The family would like to thank Doctors (private) the nurses and staff of Aurora
Medical Center, and the Aurora Visiting Nurses Association Hospice for their
exceptional care and compassion.
Herald Times Reporter, March 17, 2007