Geraldine "Gerry" Wernsmann | January 25, 1929 - November 11, 2020
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Nov 13, 2020 | 9:40 AM / 923 views
Geraldine “Gerry” Wernsmann, 91 of Pierre SD passed away in the early morning of November 11, 2020 at Avera Maryhouse.
Visitation will take place on Monday, November 16th, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00pm at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre without family present. The family will host a rosary at 6:15 followed by a prayer service at 7:00pm at the chapel. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pierre. The memorial service will be live-streamed at the top of this obituary page. Masks will be required for attending the visitation and service. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Polo, SD at 3:00pm.
Gerry was born January 25, 1929 in Miller SD to Conrad C. and Justina (Oligmueller) Schaefers. The youngest of three children, she attended St. Liborius Grade School and graduated from Polo High School in 1946. She attended Notre Dame Jr. College in Mitchell. After graduating she worked as a bookkeeper.
Gerry married Ralph Wernsmann on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1950 in Polo SD. They lived on a farm 8 miles south of Polo where they raised their six children. Together with family and friends they traveled and saw many sites across the USA.
Ralph died suddenly in 1985. Gerry remained on the farm where she lovingly became the main care giver to her Mother for 3 ½ years. In 1992, Gerry moved to Pierre where she found joy living near three of her children and several grandchildren. She volunteered at the Cultural Heritage Center and also gave tours at the State Capitol. Gerry Loved people, and for a number of years, she hosted legislative interns, many of whom kept in touch with her. Gardening was her passion, and as a master gardener, she spread beauty everywhere her hands met soil. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America both at St. Liborius Church and Ss. Peter & Paul Church.
Gerry was devoted to her faith and her family. She was an inspiration and role model for her children and all who knew her. She was always optimistic and taught her children to be kind and respectful of others. Always one for making new friends, Gerry would say her friends were like treasures. New friends were silver but the old friends were gold.
Blessed to have shared in her life are her children; William (Michele) of Casper WY, Joan (Lloyd) Simons of Pierre SD, Karen (Richard) Schlaak of Pierre SD, Mark (Liz) of Gillette WY, Luke (Suzy) of Miller SD, Anthony (Valerie) of Pierre SD; grandchildren Erica (Steve) Loppnow, Ben Johnson, Lindsey (Tim) Ferber, Carrie (Nathan) Barnes, Chad (Brandy) Wernsmann, Scott Wernsmann, Rusty (Maureen) Wernsmann, Kyle Wernsmann, McKenzie Wernsmann, Jace Wernsmann; 14 great grandchildren; sister Genevieve Blindert; sister-in-law Betty Schlechter and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, parents Justina and Conrad, husband’s parents Mary and Phillip Wernsmann, brother Donald Schaefers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Donald Blankartz, Donald Blindert, Lila Schaefers, and Lois Schaefers, Marie & Wayne Mattson, Sister Marina Wernsmann, Edward & Charlotte Wernsmann, Lucille & Alvin Anglin, Phillip & Sally Wernsmann, Bernard Wernsmann, Kathryn & Maurice Schlechter, Dorothy & Edmund Zens, Corliss Schlecter.
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