Edward Gerlach

VISITATION:

10-11 a.m., Thursday, January 5 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Thursday, January 5 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

Edward B. Gerlach, 89, of Chippewa Falls, village of Lake Hallie, died Sunday, December 25, 2016, at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire.

He was born September 13, 1927, in Eau Claire to Emma (Vollrath) and William Gerlach, the youngest of their two children. Ed's family lived on a cheese factory called Golden Valley Cheese factory near Osseo. His dad made cheese there until Ed reached about the sixth grade when they moved to a farmbetween Neillsville and Loyal. Ed went to school in Loyal where he made many friends and built many fond memories. He played on the school's basketball team and was a fast sprinter, winning the 440-meter at high school. Ed graduated from Loyal High School in 1945.

Following high school, he went for boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval base near Chicago. During boot camp he contracted rheumatic fever which really limited his activities. He was sent to a naval base hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., and was given some light duty work until his discharge in May 1946.

Since he couldn't return to work on the farm with his dad, he started studying accounting at the Milwaukee Business University. When he graduated in April 1948, the VA helped him get a job working for Dolly Madison in Eau Claire. Sometime in 1948, he met Marie Craker at the Fournier's Ballroom in Eau Claire. In March 1950, he married Marie in Fairchild, Wis. Together they had three children--William, David, and Ann. He worked at Dolly Madison until 1970. Next he worked for the accounting firm of Rollin Maybie until they were bought out by Bauman and Associates where he worked until Sept. 13, 1992. He continued to work for them during tax season. Afterwards he worked a summer for the Town of Hallie, mowing the park grass. He next started working as a courier driver at Gold Cross about 1993. Some years before he worked there, he sold the property to them and then later mused that he made more money working for them than from the sale of the land. He worked there until age 85.

He and his wife Marie were members of Pinehurst Lutheran Church since the early 1960's. While a member, he served as treasurer, was on the church council, was an usher, and did other jobs around the church grounds and building. He helped to form a group with other Hallie residents called the Hallie Developers with the goal to encourage the business development in Hallie. He also served a term as the president of the Gower School PTA as well as being a member in other years.

Not one for traveling, Ed preferred to stay at home taking care of his garden and lawn. He very much enjoyed reading the newspaper and watching the news on TV. He also was an avid fan of sports on TV whether it be basketball, football, or baseball--he enjoyed them all, especially the Green Bay Packers. He and Mom were very generous with what they had to family members.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of Hallie; sons, Bill (Cheryl) of Frederick, Colo., David (Mary) of Appleton; daughter, Ann Marie Gerlach of Rochester, Minn.; and two grandchildren, Ryan (Michelle) and Ian Gerlach.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister. Emmeline Johnson.

Ed's family would like to acknowledge and express their sincere gratitude to the compassionate staff at the Chippewa Falls VA Medical Clinic, Luther Hospital Cancer Center, Midelfort Clinic, Pain Clinic of Northwestern, Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Hospice team, and Dove Healthcare West - Reflections Wing.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 5 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Paul Sullivan of Pinehurst Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, officiating. Military honors provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will take place at the funeral chapel immediately following the service.

Interment will be at a later date at Prairie View Cemetery, village of Lake Hallie.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are appreciated and may be designated to Irvine Park, In Memory of Ed Gerlach, 30 W. Central Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.