Gerald L. Gorecki

Gerald Lee “Jerry” Gorecki, 84, of Ringle, has passed away into eternal life on August 20, 2025. He was born at home in Wausau, Wisconsin, on May 11, 1941 (Mother’s Day), to the late Frank and Jeanette (Pittsley) Gorecki. He was very proud to say he was born on Mother’s Day, telling anyone who would ask him about his date of birth.

Gerald attended Newman Catholic High School. He was a pinsetter at the bowling alley of the Elk’s Club. He was a very good bowler. At the age of 18, he joined his father and two brothers at Wisconsin Box Company, being a foreman/supervisor until his retirement.

Gerald fell in love with and married the love of his life, Helen (Sommers-Baum) Gorecki. They got married on November 9, 1963, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Wausau, Wisconsin. They were blessed with 56 years of marriage. He loved telling the story of the significance of number nine in his life. They met on February 9, 1963, and got married nine months later. Their first born, one of five, was born in the nineth month of 1964. Their second child was born on the nineth of his birth month.

Dad, Grandpa Jerry, Uncle, or friend, was a loving man, faithfully and dutifully attending mass every Sunday. He would often get to church before the doors were open, waiting patiently, so he could listen to and say the rosary. Fr. Albert of St Therese, would often say to him, as he always sat in the front pew, “I’m glad you’re here.”

Gerald provided for his family in the best way he could. He built two houses for his family. One of which he resided, until his passing. Throughout his life, he always planted a large garden, up until his wife’s passing in 2020. He always planted sweet corn, his favorite. He took pride in visiting his children’s homes delivering his famous sweet corn. You could always find a large puzzle table set up in the living room. He loved to challenge family members to help him complete the puzzle, often 1000 pieces.

He loved his Chicago Cubs, the Green Bay Packers, most Wisconsin sports, and NASCAR. His son drove late model race car in the nineties, and you guessed it, the car was number nine. He never hunted, but he would always get excited, wanting to know what his son-in-law Mike got opening morning. He was so very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Gerald is survived by his children, Sharon Marx, Ringle, Tim (Kristina Bottenberg) Gorecki, Sedro Woolley, WA, Jane (Brian) Vorass, Antigo, Kay (Steve) Huber, Marshfield, and daughter-in-law Angie (Bartnik) Gorecki. His grandchildren, Jamie (Joe) Porior, Jonathon (Tom Willoughby) Marx, Andrew (Amy Whitsett) Marx, and Alex (Kate St. Mary) Marx, Samantha (Dustin) Radke, Tyler (Calla) Gorecki, Sydney Gorecki, Robert III (Alice) Burns, Dakota (Mattilyn Yarie) Vorass, Anthony (Anahi Perez) Gorecki, Nicholas Gorecki. Ten great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends, too many to list.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Jeanette, his wife Helen, his son James, son-in-law Michael Marx, daughter-in-law Carla (Zastrow) Gorecki, and his brothers Kenneth and Daniel Gorecki.

Gerald’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Marshfield Medical Center-Weston, Saint Clares for their dedicated care during his stay.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 West Kort St., Schofield, WI 54476. Fr. Janusz Kowalski will preside. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church.

Internment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 1399 Gate of Heaven Drive, Kronenwetter, WI 54455, following the conclusion of Mass. A luncheon will be served at the St. Therese Catholic Church basement after internment.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Homes and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com