January 2, 2020 – West Bend, WI –Dennis G. Gerritson, 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at the Ivy Manor in West Bend surrounded by family. He was born on June 26, 1942 and raised in Waupun, WI to Russell and Margaret (nee Mugridge) Gerritson.
In his early years, Dennis worked at Brownsville Bowling Alley as a pinsetter for his father. He graduated from Waupun High School and then joined the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska. He had the honor and pleasure of driving the General from his unit.
Following that he met the love of his life, Judy (nee Macy) in Fort Hood, Texas and were married in 1964. They had 3 sons, Scott, Darrell, and Russell. Dennis pursued a career in the Plumbing Trade and became a Master Plumber and later became an Estimator with the Grunall Company for 50 plus years until retirement. Dennis has been recognized as a life member of 50 years with the Plumbers Local 75 Association. One proud accomplishment was the Portage Prison Job.
Dennis had 55 wonderful years with Judy, always putting her and the family first. He was a kind, considerate and respectful man full of life and there to lend a helping hand always.
Dennis was an avid golfer and looked forward to Spring when his sons and buddies would go to Kentucky to tee off the golf season. He made golf clubs and always had a gold tip to improve your game, imagine that! Of course, the cooler months, the guys played cards and watched football, as he was a huge Packer fan. A special thanks and much love to John Flood for holding Dennis up on the golf course and going that extra mile for his buddy until it became unsafe.
Dennis was extremely proud of his sons “my boys”, of which all 3 followed in his footsteps and became Master Plumbers and started their own business and had lovely families to watch grow up. Above all, family was his priority.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife Judy; 2 sons Darrell (Cindy) and Russell (Jennifer); daughter-in-law Karrie Gerritson; grandchildren Gage and Sloan Gerritson, Kayla Ruppert, Tabatha, Nina and Marissa Gerritson, Jackie (Jesse) Nauman, Becky (Travis) Rosine, Kim Gerritson; great-grandchildren Parker and Aubree Nauman, Blake and Stella Rosine; 2 brothers Jim and Daniel Scott and sister Yvonne Van Hoff. He is further survived by other relatives and friends.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, his son Scott, grandson Jeffery Verette, great-granddaughter Marlo Judith Nauman and his brother Jack Gerritson.
A Funeral Service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday, January 5 from 1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. Interment will be at Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials are appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association (620 S 76th Street, SUITE 160 Milwaukee, WI 53214-1599) and/or the American Cancer Society Midtown Division, INC (P.O. Box 902 Pewaukee, WI 53072-0902).
We would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing staff at the Ivy Manor in West Bend-for their kind, compassionate support, “Respective” hospice for their caring nursing staff and Ms. Emily for your “heart” is as big as the moon!
