Gerald Heeringa
Date of Death: Sep 21, 2016
1928 - 2016
Gerald Heeringa, 88, of Waupun, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2016 at Marvin’s Manor.
Gerald was born June 30, 1928 in Friesland, WI the son of Samuel and Jennie (Posthuma) Heeringa. Gerald joined the military at a young age and served in the Marine Corps. during WWII. After returning from the war he married Rachel Lawrence in Horicon where the couple resided until 1955 and then moved to Waupun. Gerald worked at VanBrunt/John Deere for a short time until being employed with the Dept. of Corrections where he worked for 39 years and retired as Deputy Warden at Dodge Correctional Institute. Gerald was a member of VFW Post 6709 and American Legion Post 210 of Waupun. He was instrumental in getting the veteran’s memorial wall at Shaler Park in Waupun. He was actively involved in city government. Gerald was a member of Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun for a number of years.
Gerald was a loving father to five kids: Linda (Jim) Gerritson of Waupun, Gary (Mary) Heeringa of Waupun, Dale (Nancy) Heeringa of Waupun, Craig (Kathy) Heeringa of Black River Falls, and Sue (Rick) Schaub of Waupun; his best friend, Thor; nine grandchildren: Randy, David, Erick, Nicci, Michael, Jason, Angela, Brian, and Heather; ten great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel in 2002; three sisters: Effie Terpstra, Sadie VanderVelde, and Margaret DeYoung.
Visitation
Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Services
Funeral services for Gerald Heeringa will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun with Rev. David Knuth officiating.
Burial
Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun where American Legion Post 210 of Waupun will perform military honors.
We extend our sympathy to your family. May you find comfort in your memories of special times spent with Gerald.
God Bless
My sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gerry was a kind and pleasant man who was a joy to work with. Please accept my sympathy.
I am forever grateful to Mr. Heeringa for enabling me to make an entry on the veterans memorial wall. Being a native of Waupun, it has great meaning for me. My condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.
Jim Linnen
US Army (retired)
Lewes, Delaware
Dale & family,
Our condolences on the loss of your Dad. We know just what you’re going through.
Our thoughts are with you through this next difficult time.
Mike & Mary Jo (Nickel) Schweiger
I just heard of Gerald’s passing. I always enjoyed the conversations we had about the “good old days” at the prison. He had a vast amount of knowledge in correctional security practices. You have my deepest sympathies.