March 28, 2017 – Beechwood, WI – Jeanice H. Gerlach, 80, of Beechwood, was called home on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Kathy Hospice in the town of Polk.
She was born on April 27, 1936, in West Bend, the daughter of the late Carl and Norma (nee Roell) Michaels. On January 21, 1953, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Raymond M. Gerlach.
Together they owned and operated Jays Level Acres, a dairy farm north of Beechwood. With the help from their five sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren they were able to operate from 1962 until 1997. In the later years of farming Jeanice loved driving the big tractor doing field work. When they retired from farming they built a new home on their land. Her beloved husband Raymond preceded her in death on April 22, 1998.
Jeanice worked a few years in the housekeeping department at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in West Bend. She also spent several years working at Upland Springs Floral. Jeanice loved flowers and always kept a beautiful yard. She was an avid bowler for many years and enjoyed golfing and traveling. Jeanice was a Sunday school teacher for 35 years at St. John’s U.C.C. in Beechwood.
Those left to cherish her memory include four sons, Mike (Mickie) Gerlach of Campbellsport, Chris (Linda) Gerlach of Beechwood, Clint (Dee) Gerlach of Wayne and Ken (Sandy) Gerlach of Theresa; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Gerlach of Beechwood; a brother, Gordon (Kathy) Michaels; four sisters, Donna Schroeter, Myra (Larry) Zehren, Sharon (Daniel) Stemper, and Gail (Jeff) Schneiss; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 8 step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jeanice was preceded in death by a son, Jim Gerlach and a grandson, Jerred Gerlach.
A private celebration of life service for Jeanice will be held at Zion United Methodist Church in Batavia at a later date.
The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Jeanice’s arrangements.