Gerald Harvey Grall

On August 11, 2025, Gerald Harvey Grall left this world at his home in Appleton, Wisconsin at the age of 81 years old. Gerald passed four days after the love of his life, his wife, Sally passed on August 7, 2025. Gerald had lived for nearly 8 years with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that usually results in mortality in 2-3 years. It was the love he had for his wife and his faith in God that gave him the strength to persevere through great pain through all those years. His family feels blessed to have had this extra time with him and marveled at his courage to continue despite the constant struggles he was forced to adapt to.
Gerald lived a life of integrity and he had an unwavering moral compass. As the president of Appleton Marine Inc., he always tried to look out for those who worked for him. The large cranes they made can be found on large oil rigs, ocean-going barges, and industrial, governmental, and medical ships all around the world. He felt a great responsibility for those who relied on his leadership and always tried to do the right thing. Cutting corners was not something that was in Gerald's vocabulary. This served as a lesson for his children, grandchildren, and friends. Those who knew Gerald, knew him to be exceptionally bright, unassuming, and yet confident in his vision. He was a pillar of strength to all those around him, but he also had such a gentle heart with a great sentimentality and compassion. Even in his final days, he found endless ways to keep his mind sharp, and he was still as sharp as a tack. He provided a great childhood that was full of love for his children, and he was the one to go to for sound advice on any subject. His advice was always calm, reasoned, always looked for long-term solutions rather than short-term gains, and it all came from a place of compassion. While Gerald was quiet, in any situation, his intelligence, strategic mind, and his ability to be the calm in the middle of any storm made him a natural leader.
As a husband, as well as his wife's last days, he was very affectionate, loving, and was always eager to make his wife Sally happy-which she was. She would regularly say, "I love you Jerry Grall," and he would inevitably respond sincerely and tenderly, "I love you more." Their love serves as an example of what a great nearly 60-year marriage should be. Both Gerald and his wife Sally suffered from terminal diseases, yet they both lived for many years beyond what they should have. He lived for her, and she for him-like two sticks supporting each other. Without both sticks, both would fall. It is not surprising that they both passed within days of each other.
Gerald was very strong in his faith in God, and the Catholic Church was the center of his life. He would spend several hours a day praying, and often said novenas to St. Jude for those he saw in need. While Gerald and his wife Sally thought prayer was important, this was just their starting point. They were also consistent and frequent anonymous philanthropists. They gave generously and often to their church, St. Mary Catholic Church and countless charities. He felt a duty to make the world a better place and that if one had the means to make a difference for others, it was their duty to do so. Gerald will be missed, but his impact on the world will continue long beyond.
Gerald was preceded in death by four days by his wife Sally and is survived by his children Angela (David) Carney, Jeremy (Becky) Grall; his grandchildren Aiden and Adelyn Carney, and his sister Shirley (Roger) Kegley.
A Mass of Resurrection for Gerald will take place at 11 AM. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev William Swichtenberg officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 AM directly at church. Lunch will follow the Mass, and He and Sally will be laid to rest at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Appleton.
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