Gail Grace Gerrits

With Sorrow and Sadness, our Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Gail Grace (VanEnkenvort) Gerrits (81) has passed away on July 15, 2025. She was the daughter of Vincent and Amelia (Molly) VanEnkenvort. Gail was born September 14, 1943. She was a spunky little blonde child with lots of giggles and smiles.

She grew up on a farm in Freedom, WI, and spent many days in the barn with her Dad and siblings. Gail and her cousin, Germaine C. were always up to some kind of Shenanigans and spent much time together goofing around.

She married James C. Gerrits (Jim), the love of her life, at a pretty young age (19), on July 21, 1963. He preceded her in death on January 24, 2015. Gail and Jim had two children: Daniel J. Gerrits and Connie L.(Gerrits) Garstang. The two children were 16 years apart. Mom (Gail) thought she had flu. Her children were the Loves of Her Life and meant everything to her. Her son Daniel took care of his "favorite" Mom on a daily basis and spent a lot of time with her; while her daughter Connie lives far away, she made sure to call her Mom several times a day to just chat, check on her Mom or ask for advice.

Gail worked for many years in the housekeeping departments of St. Vincent Hospital, Different Local Motels/Hotels, Glenwood Nursing Home, and Oneida Casino where she retired from. She also worked at Metal Craft for a few years. Decades ago Gail took up ceramics. She was very talented in that art and still has some of her work in her house today on display. Gail was a well rounded person and loved a good time. Her house was always the place to celebrate events and holidays. Gail was an awesome cook and was known for certain specialties. She often brought those "special" dishes to family get-togethers. She loved the birds and plants so much to the point of driving her son, Daniel, crazy. She was always worried about the birdies getting fed and her plants being watered. Gail was the "Crazy Plant Lady". (Never enough!) Gail loved grocery shopping at Woodman's and Walmart and would have Daniel running all over the store for this and that.

She enjoyed spending her younger years with her older grandchildren, Madyson, Maria, and Mairee Gerrits, at Shakey's Pizza Restaurant, Wisconsin Dells, Pamperin Park, Bay Beach, and sleep-overs at her house. Later on in life, she spent numerous holidays with her Daughter and Son-In-Law, Connie and Roger, and their children in Missouri. She was bombarded with love and cuddles from Lydia, Olivia, Lucy, Allison, James, and Ruth Garstang. When the children came to Green Bay, WI, she made sure they had lots of toys to play with and yummy food to eat. Gail was also blessed with (3) Great Grandchildren, Bellemere Gerrits, Ethan and Luella (LuLu) Heid. She often saw Ethan and Luella on a regular basis and got squishy hugs from both of them despite Miss LuLu being a little, independent stinker.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Amelia (Hock) VanEnkenvort, her inlaws, Clarence and Mildred Gerrits; her siblings and their spouses, Eugene VanEnkenvort, Bernice Aerts(Bill Aerts), Sandra Giles, Elaine(Leonard Green). She was also preceded in death by a baby sister, Joyce Van Enkenvort. She was preceded in death by several brothers-in-law, Gerry, Kenny, and John Gerrits. Her sister-in law, Luella Van Enkenvort. She is survived by Inlaws: Mary Jo Gerrits, Barb Gerrits, Jane and Gary Van Der Wegen, and Paul and Sue Gerrits.

Gail is survived by her son, Daniel J. Gerrits and his wife (Bonnie Semrau-Gerrits), her daughter, Connie L. (Gerrits) Garstang and her husband (Roger Garstang). Gail is survived by the following grandchildren: Madyson Gerrits, Maria (Gerrits) Heid and her husband, (Travis Heid) and Granddaughter Mairee Gerrits; Lydia, Olivia, Lucy, Allison, James, and Ruth Garstang. She is also survived by three Great Grandchildren, Bellemere Gerrits, Ethan and Luella(LuLu) Heid. Gail is survived by two siblings and their spouses, David VanEnkenvort(Cathy VanEnkenvort) and Cheri Van Enkevort-Hewitt(Jay Hewitt). She is also survived by her God-daughter, Lori Boushele, and many nieces and nephews, and the Gerrits Families listed above.

Family and friends may gather on Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & receptions (340 S. Monroe Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301). A Celebration of Life will follow immediately at 12:00 pm NOON.