October 24, 2019 – West Bend, WI – Gerald C. Van Beek of St.Kilian died on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Froedtert Hospital at the age of 69. He was born on July 4, 1950 in West Bend to the late Clarence and Leona (nee Schneider) Van Beek.
After graduating from West Bend High School with the Class of 1968, he attended the former Moraine Park Technical Institute, earning an associate degree in the tool and die field. For a few years, he worked at Mill Tool and Die in West Bend.
In August of 1976, he purchased his farm in St. Kilian. He worked on his dairy farm up to the time of his death. Farming was his passion.
Throughout his life, his interests included politics, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Gerald was a private person and valued his independence, but he loved spending times with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed teaching them about farming and cherished the time they helped out on his farm. The memories created will be fondly remembered.
Survivors include his brothers and sister: Jim (Sue) of St. Kilian, Fr. Alois of Oakfield, Mary (Jim) Brodzeller of West Bend, Howard of Rosendale, Earl of Rosendale and Sylvester (Patricia) of Mayville; 15 nieces and nephews; 15 great-nieces and great-nephews; sister-in-law Bridget Van Beek of Waupun; other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers Donald, Rayner and Leo and 1 great-nephew Isaiah Van Beek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery (old). Visitation will be at church on Monday from 10 until 10:45 a.m.
The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.
