Ninth Generation

324. Kurtis "Kurt" GERKE was born on 30 October 1969 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁸⁶ He died on 15 April 2022 at the age of 52.²⁸⁶ Obituary Notes: "Kurtis “Kurt” J. Gerke, 52, died on Friday, April 15th, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. On October 30th, 1969, Kurt was born Duaine and Margaret (Baldwin) Gerke in Tomah.

After high school, Kurt wed the love of his life, Theresa McKane, on April 18th, 1993. During their 29-year marriage, Kurt and Theresa became the loving parents to 3 children, Kyle, Alizabeth, and Joseph. Kurt worked for EFC Tomah, Nelson Exhaust, at Ocean Spray for 21 years, and at Toro.

Kurt had the heart of a farmer and raised, chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, and cows on Fuzzy Farms. He was an excellent gardener and raised tulips, roses, lilacs, gladiolas, irises and day lilies. Kurt enjoyed spending his down time fishing and hunting, he specifically enjoyed fishing for catfish, with his 2 sons, Kyle and Joseph. He was straight forward, honest, and caring. He was a dedicated husband, a loving father, and a proud “Papa”. He would always have a treat for his grandchildren before the headed for home. Kurt was affectionally called a “Sour Patch Kid.” You would think he had a sour personality when you first met him, but once you got to know him, you would realize how sweet he was. He will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Theresa Gerke, his 3 children, Kyle (Brittany) Gerke, Alizabeth Gerke, and Joseph (Emily White). 8 grandchildren, Gabbi, Mekhi, Kayden, Maverick, Michael, Marie, Zane, and Conner, his mother Margaret Taylor of Tomah, 3 sisters, Karyl (Bill) Franklin, Karen (Brian) Olsen, Kathy (Dean) Yenter, half siblings, and step siblings, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Kurt is preceded in death by his father, Duaine Gerke, his father-in-law and mother-in-law David and Melinda “Chris” McKane, his paternal grandparents, Doral and Ruth Gerke

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, 11:00 A.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St. Tomah. Pastor Curtis Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Memorial Garden.
Relatives and friends are invited on Friday, April 22, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com."

Kurtis "Kurt" GERKE and Theresa MCKANE were married on 18 April 1993.^285,286 Theresa MCKANE was born (date unknown).