Obit: Gerrits, Richard “Dick” Dean Sr. (1938 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gerrits, Pilgrim, Nelson, Markowski, Bartlett, Gassett, Kohnert, Travis, Lujan, Nye

----Source: Plombon Funeral Home (Stanley, Clark Co., WI) 10/23/2020

Gerrits, Richard “Dick” Dean, Sr. (13 September 1938 – 29 September 2020) With Flag

Richard “Dick” Dean Gerrits Sr., 82, of Stanley passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

He was born Sept. 13, 1938, the son of Martin and Olga (Pilgrim) Gerrits. Dick was raised on a small farm in Edson Township and spent all of his life in Chippewa and Clark County, returning to live on the family farm in 2000 until his passing. Dick was a 1957 graduate of Stanley-Boyd High School. He attended Chippewa County Vocational School, receiving his Electrical Certificate in 1961.

In 1955, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving 3 years in the infantry as a rifleman. He continued his service in the Reserves in 1958 and served Battery A in the 1st Battalion of the 121st Artillery as a fleet mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1963. He married Victoria A. Nelson on Oct. 27, 1962 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bloomer. Together they were parents to Stephanie, Richard Ⅱ, Jill, and Chris. They divorced in 1977. Dick never remarried, carrying forward his mantra of "Why make one miserable, when you can make them all happy?" Dick worked for Acme Steel in Stanley, National Presto Industries in Eau Claire, Perrenoud Inc. in Chippewa Falls, Built-Rite in Stanley, and Lussenden Candy Company in Boyd. Dick's greatest pleasures were spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, driving to town for his morning coffee, caring for his land, chickens and rabbits, and many years of hunting with his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandson Ryder. Dick will be best remembered for his life-long scrap-hauling work.

He is survived by children Richard Gerrits Ⅱ of Stanley; Jill (Tim) Markowski of Baraboo; Chris (ThelmaRose) Gerrits of Monroe; grandchildren Joshua Bartlett; Samantha (Reece) Gassett; Jonathon (Arianna) Gerrits; Elizabeth (Adam Kohnert) Gerrits; Erin Gerrits; Brock Markowski; Sidnee (Dexton) Travis; and Emily, Alex, and Allen Gerrits; great-grandchildren Espyn and Oliver Gassett; Ryder Gerrits; Carter Lujan; and two more expected late 2020; sister Judy (Jerry) Nye; brothers Merlin (Sylvia) Gerrits and Larry (Cheryl) Gerrits, all of Stanley; and Alan (Pam) Gerrits of Chippewa Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister Gail Gerrits; brothers Kenneth and Gerald; granddaughter Alyssa Gerrits; and daughter Stephanie Bartlett earlier this year.

Graveside service with full military honors will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2020 in Edson Union Cemetery. Plombon Funeral Service of Stanley is assisting the family with arrangements.