Gerald Gersen

Tribute

Gerald “Jerry” Gersen, age 75, died quickly and quietly in his home last week as a result of complications from dementia. He resided in Deltona, Florida, with his daughter Sara, her husband Jermaine, and their family. Jerry grew up in Bayside Wisconsin. As a young teenager he became interested in music and learned to play electric guitar which he played with friends and in some bands in high school. He had some challenges growing up losing his younger brother David, a “blue baby,” when Jerry was just 8, and his father from a heart attack in high school. Jerry was drafted during the Vietnam war. He did not see combat but served honorably on several army bases including in Japan and Texas. He was injured during the service which limited his employment opportunities throughout life. Jerry married and divorced twice, first to Yoshko with whom he had two beloved boys, David and Jeremy, and second to Wendy, with whom he had his beloved daughter Sara. Jerry was a loyal and dedicated son, nephew, cousin, and friend. He cared for his mother, Madelyn “Maddy” Gersen, throughout her life and particularly when she aged and became a resident of a nursing home. He was also a dear nephew of his Aunt Betty Anne and Uncle Harry Waxman (for whom he worked for a time). Jerry was very handy and mechanically inclined. He was always first to volunteer to help with home and auto repairs, moving, and other errands and chores for his mother, aunt and uncle, and other relatives and friends. He stayed in touch with his closest high school friends throughout his life. As an older adult in Milwaukee, he became more observant of his Jewish religion. He was a regular participant in religious services and celebrations at the Jewish Home for the Aged in Milwaukee where he often visited and became close with family of the Waxmans including Glorianne “Gloria” Krasno and Karen “Cookie” Krasno who resided there til the end of their lives within the last four years. Jerry was also an active member of the Jewish Recovery Community. Jerry had a big sense of humor which family and friends adored. He was very caring and loving of his friends and family. He especially adored his daughter Sara, her husband Jermaine, and their blended family. After many years of no contact, daughter Sara reached out to Jerry in his 50s and worked to create a deep and loving relationship with him. This provided a light in his life that evaded him until then and provided the greatest purpose and meaning in his life. He will be missed by all of these family and friends who dearly loved him.

Friends & Family