Georgiana L. Herson

COTTAGE GROVE/GREEN BAY-Georgiana Lou “Jo” Herson, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. She was born on April 7, 1935, the 11th of 12 children, to Louis and Minnie Stankevitz in Green Bay. Jo married Richard Herson on Aug. 20, 1966, at First Baptist Church in Green Bay. This was the first wedding to be held at the new church.  She was baptized at the old church in 1947. Jo was a charter member of the Cottage Grove Lioness Club and Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce. She and Rich operated a printing press parts business out of their home for 20 years.  Jo and Rich played country and western music at taverns and clubs in Green Bay, Wausau, and Madison areas from the late 1960s through the 1990s.  They also entertained family and neighbors at various gatherings. Jo loved to garden and sew, making many quilts, bedspreads, and table coverings. She was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church.  Jo loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the loves of her life. Jo is survived by her sons, Bill Miller of Rothschild, Wis., Dan Miller of Weston, Wis, and Russ (Janice) Miller of Cottage Grove; daughter, Mary Jo (Jeff) Fortune of Deerfield; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Terry Stankevitz of Little Rock, Ark.; and sister, Ruby Karlson of Green Bay.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Steven Louis; infant daughters, Kathy Ann and Mary; brothers, Harvey, Dennis, Edward, Herbert, and Orville Stankevitz; sisters, Angeline Ferron, Eunice Hilke, Beverly Jossart and Violet Kollman; and daughter-in-law, Mary Miller.  Jo died of complications from dementia. Some things she wanted to pass on in life are the ability to love, have compassion, provide forgiveness, and love and trust in the Lord. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 Noon, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, with Pastor Beth Schultz-Byrnes of Hope Lutheran Church presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Jo’s name to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. The family wishes to thank Agrace HospiceCare of Madison and Oak Ridge Living of Sun Prairie for all the care and support they provided Jo. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.