Obituary of Gerald F. Gaulke

Gerald F. Gaulke, age 86, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 17 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. John Grohs and Rev. Jonathan Petzold will officiate. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend Gerald’s Life Celebration from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Thursday at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service on Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gerald was born August 31, 1930 in Wisconsin Rapids to John and Mary Gaulke. He married Jeanette Damerow on September 4, 1954 in Tomah, WI. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage and five children. Gerald was employed by Pre-Way Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids for many years. Following the closing of Pre-Way, he took a position with Nekoosa Foundry Corp. as an outside sales representative and purchasing agent. He held that position until his retirement. Gerald was a talented artist who loved to paint. He was a diehard Packer backer. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors working on meticulously maintaining his lawn and golfing with his buddies at Tri-City golf course, where he was known by his fellow league members as “Gunner”. In earlier years, Gerald loved fishing and camping at Lake Chetek in Baron County and Casey Lake near Waupaca. Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; five children: Nancy Crump (Al Rady), Adams, Scott Gaulke, Plover, Lisa Colemer, Madison, Danny Gaulke (Dee Webster), Nekoosa, and Mike (Clare) Gaulke, Oshkosh; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters: Nancy Gaulke and Janet Alfsen.