Gerald Day Germanson
October 12, 1930 - September 12, 2013
Obituary
MADISON-Gerald D. “Jerry” Germanson, age 82 of Madison, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at Oak Park Place in Madison. Jerry was born on Oct. 12, 1930, in Milwaukee, to Julius T. and Alice M. (Simonds) Germanson. He graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1953, and married his college sweetheart Eleanor M. “Ellie” Germanson. Jerry began his architectural career in Milwaukee, and then moved to Flad Architects in Madison. He became a Partner in Germanson-Foss & Company Architects in Moorhead, Minn., and he started their Branch Office in Sioux City, Iowa. He then became Chief Architect for the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration, and the family moved back to Madison in 1964. Jerry was a kind and generous man who loved his family dearly. Some of his interests were exercise, sailing, and enjoying being on the water, whether warm or frozen. He was a Founding Member of the Lake Monona Sailing Club and Commodore in 1986. Jerry was devoted to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for 45 years. He retired in 1992, and enjoyed traveling to places around the world. He volunteered as a Docent at the Elvejhem/Chazen Museum and the Monona Terrace. He was a Pontoon Boat Skipper or First Mate for the MSCR Pontoon Program on Madison Lakes. Jerry is survived by his wife, Ellie of 60 years; their six children, Linda (Ted) Seefeldt, Don (Twila), Sue (Damianis), Thomas (Mary Ann), Jane (Mark) McCarty, and Jack (Nancy); grandchildren, Dean (Becky), Mark (Jenn), and Jason (Megan) Seefeldt, Sean, Ryan, Heather, and Kyle McCarty, Ana Maria, Gabrielle, Kenzie, Noah, and Amelie Germanson, and Jennifer and Suzanne; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ken (Ann) Germanson of Milwaukee, and Tom (Elsbeth) Germanson of AL; and brother-in-law Jack (Marilyn) Mainey of NC. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Ave., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. A gathering will follow in Marian Hall. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg, or the MSCR Pontoon Program Fund #1031958 at www.MadisonCommunityFoundation.org.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sun Sep 15, 2013 @ 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Mon Sep 16, 2013 @ 11:30 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
Memories
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Guest
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Father and son, Thomas.
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Barbara Lafferty
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Jerry was such a fun man. My dad is one of the 3 Jerrys that sat together at the breakfast and lunch table. Jerry would tell me when my dad was at breakfast. And how those 3 Jerrys and the 1 Harry kept all of us laughing. I will really miss him. Love his family, wonderful folks! God bless. Barbara LAfferty
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K. Borch
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Please accept my sympathy for the entire family. I saw Ellie and Jerry
at the Grandview Hall events each week plus special programs.
I remember Ellie baking for your 65th anniversary!
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Holly Vitense
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Dear Germanson Family- we send our deepest sympathies. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Love, Vitense Family (Maple Grove)
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Sharon Nafzger
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I would like to pass along my deepest sympathy to the Germanson family during this time of sorrow. While I never had the privilege of knowing "Jerry", just knowing the loving way his sonTom spoke of him, he had to be a wonderful husband, father and friend to many! I know he will be missed. Sincerely, Sharon
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rhonda hoeth
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Gerry was such a wonderful man. He talked highly of his family daily and how proud he was of all of you. He made every day a great day with kind words and great smile. He was always so thankful for everything we did for him and he made sure you knew it. Last month he was able to participate in the monona terrace and mscr pontoon boat ride. Both these places were near and dear to his heart I'm so glad I could be
apart of it and help to make it happen. He will be missed alot. RHONDA HOETH ACTIVITY DIRECTOR Oak Park Place