Obit: Hamus, Gerald R. "Gerry" (1929 – 2016)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hamus, Breu, Preising, Hein, Kelley, Elpert, Kuechenmeister, Soback, Kulsea, Brings, Schar

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 11 Feb 2016

Hamus, Gerald R. "Gerry" (4 APR 1929 – 9 FEB 2016)

Gerald "Gerry" R. Hamus, age 86, of Colby, formerly of Unity, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Colonial Center in Colby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Colby. Father Peter Manickam will officiate. Military Honors provided by the Unity American Legion Post #358. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church. Serving as Gerald's pallbearers are his grandsons: Mike Hein, Ryan Elpert, Casey Kuechenmeister, Alan, Andrew, and Aaron Hamus. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements.

Gerald was born on April 4, 1929, the son of Joseph and Odelia (Breu) Hamus in Marshfield. He attended school in Auburndale, Hewitt and Marshfield. Gerald proudly served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War from March 1951 to March 1953. On October 15, 1953, he was united in marriage to Mildred Preising at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Marshfield. Together they farmed in the Township of Unity. Gerald also was a factory worker, milk hauler, worked in a feed mill and was a bartender.

Gerald was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colby and served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of Unity American Legion Post #358 for 60 years where he held many offices. Gerald was also a member of the Unity Commercial Club. He loved to play sports, including shooting pool and fast-pitch baseball. He also liked to play cards, especially sheepshead and loved his polka music.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mildred of Colby; seven children: Shirley (Roger) Hein of Stratford, Roger (Pat) of Unity, Ronald of Montello, Sharon (Robert) Kelley of Portland, OR, Sandra (Tom) Elpert of Spencer, Russell (Cindy) of Dorchester and Susan (Leon) Kuechenmeister of Marshfield; 12 grandchildren: Jackie (Chad) Soback, Jamie (Jesse) Kulesa, Mike (Heather) Hein, Alan (Dana) Hamus, Andrew Hamus, Aaron (Amanda) Hamus, Jeremy Kelley, Rachel Kelley, Crystal (Jason) Brings, Ryan (Kerri Berres) Elpert, Casey (Ashley Jacobitz) Kuechenmeister, Holly (Josh Schar) Kuechenmeister; 17 great-grandchildren: Samantha, Danielle, and Jakob Soback; Jesse James, Sophie and Caleb Kulesa, Sybella and Avery Hein; Rayna and Alia Hamus; Keira, Cutter, Rawson, and Reese Hamus; Wyatt Hamus; Rourke Elpert and Hadley Schar. He is further survived by two brothers and one sister: Jerome (Claudine) Hamus of Marshfield, Joan Rotar of Janesville and Hubert Hamus of Waukesha; a sister-in-law, Joan Hamus of Marshfield; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Victor.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.