Geraldine Beckerleg

Beckerleg, Geraldine "Jerrie" MADISON - Geraldine "Jerrie" Beckerleg, age 80, life long resident of Madison, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, with her children at her side. Jerrie, the eldest of three sisters, was born to Harold and Margaret (Hauser) Fenske on Jan. 6, 1927. Jerrie graduated from Madison East High School in 1945 and while employed at Bancroft Dairy, met DuWayne Beckerleg, the love of her life. The two were joined in marriage on July 1, 1947. Jerrie and DuWayne celebrated life during their 54 years of marriage and were the proud parents of seven children, 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Following DuWaynes death, Jerrie continued their quest for life, traveling and spending precious visits with her dear sister-in-law, Pauline Coward and took even deeper pleasure in spending time with her children, grandchildren and many friends. Jerrie was blessed with a great love of life. She loved crafts of all kinds, particularly ceramics and was very artistically gifted with a great sense of style and colors. Jerrie enjoyed being on the go with friends and family, whether it was golf, bowling, traveling, card playing or just visiting. Jerrie also possessed an extraordinary gentleness, taking in stride lifes greatest challenges of which she had many and never complaining. Her children, particularly in the last several years of her life, were constantly amazed at her cheerfulness on even the darkest of days. Jerrie had a beautiful smile and laugh, which she shared openly and which will be long and fondly remembered. She will be tremendously missed. She is survived by her sister, Jackie Byles of Tigard, Ore.; her step-mother, Florence Fenske of Madison; her children, Sandra Fowler of San Diego, Calif., Carol Beckerleg of Milwaukee, Barbara (Jim) King of Laramie, Wyo., Diane Herzfeldt of Shawano, Steven (Karen) Beckerleg of Verona and Lisa (Jim Amend) Jacobs of Madison; daughter-in-law, Cynthia of Presque Isle; as well as 10 grandchildren, Alex, Sarah, David (Sherry), Michael (Yang), Justin, Benjamin, Kimberly, Nikki, Adam and Anna and a great-grandchild, Logan. Jerrie was preceded in death by her parents; her youngest sister, JoAnne Kelly; her husband, DuWayne and tragically, her eldest son, David. A Memorial Mass will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Family and Friends may call at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, with a rosary service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. The family wishes a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff and volunteers of Attic Angels, Oak Park Place and HospiceCare of Madison, with a special thank you to Dr. John Brandabur. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com