Geraldine Herman

Born under a bright November 25th sky in 1934, Geraldine Nora Herman enjoyed the simple and profound pleasures of life in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. She was a woman of deep faith, devoted family member, and a beacon of warmth and compassion within her community. Geraldine, better known as Gerry, left an indelible mark in the hearts of all those who knew her. She was a homemaker by trade but her true vocation was nurturing her family, her pets, and her beautiful flower gardens. She was a lifelong member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
Geraldine's love for her family was the cornerstone of her life. She married Franklin Herman on August 23, 1952. They shared 50 years together until he passed on December 12, 2002. She created a loving home for her husband and children Sandra, Jennifer and Randy and their families. Her family extended beyond her own kin to her beloved pets, and she was an active supporter of the South Wood County Humane Society. Geraldine found joy in the simple things, a good book, a challenging jigsaw puzzle, and the satisfaction of a well-decorated home. She was the heart of her family, a guiding star in their lives, the embodiment of kindness and love.
Geraldine is survived by her children, Sandra (Walter) Schoenick, Jennifer Tanck, and Randy (Bea Jaye) Herman, her brother and sisters-in-law, Gordon (Joan) Deranick, Joan (Louis)Revers and Marilyn Getzlaff; Grandchildren, Michael (Craig Van Ert) Mertz, Derek (Fiancée Hidulina Mata) Mertz, Ann(Rodney)Schlotman, Amy Schoenick(Tom Peterson) Vicki(Jason) Neukirchen and Rachel (Lucas) Collar and by her great grandchildren, Nichole (Adam) Yerke, Jacob (Moria) Schlotman, Cathleen Samter, Katarina, Ryan and Eric Neukirchen, Samantha, Caitlyn, Haley, Ashley and Christian Mertz, Maddisyn and Cal Pocha, Kaden, Jazzmine and Adaira Collar, Raven Cronkrite, Mercedes Herman and Oliver Notbusch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Irene (Stelmacher) Deranick. Her husband Franklin Herman, Father and Mother- in-laws William and Evelyn Herman, her grandsons William Herman, David P. Mertz, and great grandson, Alex Neukirchen, her son-in-law, Gerald Tanck; and her siblings-in-law, Eileen (Edmund) Livernash, and Duane Getzlaff and her beloved dog Lacy.
Visitation will be held at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 820 13th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494 on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 9:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to the South Wood County Humane Society.
As Geraldine's life was a testament to the verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love," let us gather to bid farewell to a remarkable woman who lived these words every day.
We encourage you to share your precious memories and upload photos of Geraldine on her memorial page. Let us remember her not with sorrow, but with gratitude for having known this extraordinary woman. In this way, we keep her spirit alive among us, and her love continues to touch our lives.