Shirley A. Gerner

1944 - 2021

Shirley A. Gerner

Fond du Lac - Shirley Ann Gerner went quietly to her heavenly home on Friday, May 14, 2021, to be reunited with her husband, Dennis "Bud" Gerner who preceded her in death in 2012. Bud and Shirley were married on September 22, 1979.

Shirley was born to Douglas and Verna Rymer on February 15, 1944.

Shirley loved her family. She loved her dog, Charlie, who spent his days sitting with her in the recliner and brought her great joy. She loved gardening and flowers and looked forward to each spring when she could go shopping for flowers and get her hands in the dirt planting them. She loved to watch the birds out her window at the feeders. In addition to working at Giddings & Lewis for 37 years, she and Bud together ran Bud & Shirley's Riverside tavern for many years until his passing and she cherished the friendships she made there. She was both gentle and strong and kind to all who had the great blessing of having her in their life.

These past years without Bud had been challenging for her and, try as she might, her heart was broken and she never quite could put the pieces back together again. Her sadness was palpable and though her passing brings us grief, we believe that she is now in a place where finally everything is okay and she can find happiness once again.

Shirley is survived by her sons: Jeffrey (Lee Ann) Gerner and Dennis (Faith) Gerner; her grandchildren: Jacob, Josh, Caleb and Claire. She is further survived by brothers: Douglas (Irene) Rymer, Reginald (Marlene) Rymer, Ronald (Doris) Rymer, Robert Rymer; her sisters: Marilyn (Kenneth) Garb, Marlene Hendricks, Cheryl (Wayne) Kuslits, Joyce (Ronald) Roth and Dorothy (Marshall) Proehl.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bud, her parents, brothers Dalton Rymer and Donald Rymer and sister Beverly Hull.

Per Shirley's request, there will be no "formal" visitation or service, but those who wish to come and say their goodbye to Shirley may stop at Kurki Funeral Chapel, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, between the hours of 9:30 - 11:30 AM. Entombment will be at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that if you are blessed enough to still have a parent(s) in your life that you take them to lunch or dinner and spend some time just catching up.

Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkifuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420