Geraldine ("Gerry") Margaret Griese, age 88, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on October 26, 2024.  She was born on June 26, 1936 to the late Francis Xavier and Margaret Ida (Metzger) Heppe in the Town of Fountain Prairie in rural Fall River, WI where she grew up on the family farm.

Gerry married the love of her life, Donald Kenneth Griese, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Lost Lake on August 10, 1957. Together they celebrated 63 anniversaries until Don's death on December 29, 2020.  They made their home on a small farm outside of Columbus, eventually passing it down and spending their retirement in Columbus before entering an assisted living community.  Her family is very grateful for the exemplary tender care and companionship of the caregivers at The Larson House in Columbus, The Meadows of Fall River and Generations Hospice of Fond du Lac.

After her years of arduous trekking to a one-room elementary schoolhouse, Gerry graduated from Fall River High School in 1954 and then attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Madison WI. Gerry actively participated in the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers along with several other women of her community who became her lifelong friends.  She started her nursing career at St. Mary's Hospital in Columbus (which later became Columbus Community Hospital) where she spent decades working primarily as an operating room nurse. At the end of her career, she worked as a visiting nurse for St. Joseph's Hospital in Beaver Dam and retired from nursing at Hillside Home & Hospice Care. In addition to raising six children, Gerry served on the Ethics Committee at Columbus Community Hospital, the Columbia County Nutritional Advisory Board, and the Columbus Area Senior Citizen Advisory Board.

Gerry and Don loved to travel, either with their children or their siblings. Their travels brought so many memories that provided great stories of reminiscence for many holidays to come.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a cruise around the Maritime Provinces of Canada with their extended family. Gerry and Don also spent their time on quiet walks, tending to their flower/vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and raising chickens to feed all their children. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters Mary [Duane] Bailey, Ann [Rick] Schade, Jane [Gary] Braatz, Jolene Lang [Paul Norris]; sons Peter [Lynda] and Paul [Jody]; grandchildren Aerial Bailey and MJ [Jessica Murillo] Bailey, Hewan [Mamadou] Jawo, Berhan Schade Christopher [Sophie] Braatz, Cameron Braatz [Olivia Tjugum], Anna Lang [Bryce Hilber], Jake Norris, Kelsey, Karrie and Kate Griese; and great-grandchildren Rodney Poe III and Zaydeon Swenson. Other survivors include her sisters Kathleen [David] Obrion, Genevieve [Richard] Meyer, Patricia [John] Gittler and Darlene [Carl] Hanson along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and an aunt. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Ronald and Joseph Heppe.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 23, 2024 at St Jerome's Catholic Church, 1550 Farnham St, Columbus WI. A memorial luncheon for Don & Gerry will follow from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Savanna Oaks Community Center, 100 Savanna Rd, Fall River, WI.  All are welcome to come share their fondest memories of this wonderful couple.

Memorials may be directed to St Jerome's Catholic Church Columbus WI.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Gerry's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com