Print This Obituary

Donald T. Gerz, age 83, of Butte des Morts, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2018, at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. He was born June 29, 1935, Chicago, Illinois to the late Theodore and Lydia (Taranko) Gerz. He attended Leyden High School and served our country in the Marines during the 1950's - "Once a Marine, Always a Marine". Don worked in retail sales during his lifetime at Ace Hardware, K-Mart, Builders Square, and Home Depot. He continued to work part-time at Home Depot in Grand Chute "to pay for his toys."
Don married Kathleen (Cooper) on June 9, 1990, in Braidwood, Illinois. They moved to Wisconsin in 2008 so he could go fishing whenever he felt the urge. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Ronald Gerz, daughter, Sharon Salerno, and grandson, Alexander Salerno, all of Florida. Don will be missed by his nieces, Michelle (Eric) Faulkner and their sons Trey and Gavin, and by his nephew, Dan (Chey) Gerz and their sons Zac and Xander, all of Arizona. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, David (the late Shirley) Cooper, of Illinois; his sister-in-law, Marie Gerz-Lilley, of Arizona; and numerous other relatives. Don will be remembered by numerous friends and fishing buddies that he considered family.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Karl; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alexander and Mildred Cooper; and a brother-in-law, Daniel Cooper. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends also preceded him in death.
Bass fishing was Don's passion. Every year he looked forward to fishing tournaments when he would join "the guys" for pre-fishing and camaraderie. Every fish he caught was like catching the first one of his life. He was so excited and grinned from ear to ear. Don touched countless people during his years of fishing. Those he regularly met to share the joy of fishing and those he met as co-anglers could see how much he loved the sport. Don's second love was his German Shepherd dogs Elsa and Max. He enjoyed taking them for riders in the van and runs in the country. They miss him greatly. Don enjoyed watching sports on television, especially the Packers. He could be found flipping from one game to another so he wouldn't miss anything.
In accordance with Don's wishes, no visitation or service will be held. Cremation rites will be accorded, and burial of cremains will be near his parents in Arizona at a later time.
Don is fishing next to his parents in their rowboat now. Heidi, Ryker, and Durango are waiting for him by the Rainbow Bridge.
Good fishing, Don! We miss you!
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.