Gerd Joachim Meukow

Gerd Joachim Meukow, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 16, 1950, in Bad Oldesloe, Germany, to Hans and Meta (Rickert) Meukow. He immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1952, where they settled in Menasha, later moving to Neenah. He graduated from Neenah High School in 1969. Shortly after graduating, he went to work for Menasha Corporation, where he retired from in 2013 after 44 years. He married the love of his life, Kathie (Asmus) Meukow, on October 25, 1974. They recently celebrated their Golden Anniversary quietly at home due to health issues.
Kathie and Gerd enjoyed travelling together to Florida, Arizona, and Germany, golfing, camping, and playing sheepshead with friends and family. One of Gerd's favorite memories was from a trip to Daytona Beach, FL, in 1992. He was able to ride as a passenger in a race car there. He loved watching the races on television and would comment that he remembered the thrill of riding on that track and how the driver would accelerate on specific turns on that racetrack. He loved eating red cabbage (that his mother would cook and he would often share with his friends at work), potato pancakes, smoked meats, and fish. He also had a sweet tooth, especially for German marzipan. Gerd especially loved fishing and duck hunting and made several trips to South Dakota with his cousin, Tom Ebel, and friends. Gerd and Tom were always close; each served as best man in each other's weddings. Gerd and Kathie were blessed with two daughters, Michelle and Christine, and two grandsons, Devin and Cameron.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathie Meukow; daughter Christine Meukow; grandsons Devin and Cameron Meukow; sister Carla (David) Reidenbach and their daughters Amy (Matt) Van Zeeland and Kelsey Reidenbach; his sister Christa Mirwaldt and her daughters Lisa (Reto) Pikolin and Uta (Mirwaldt) Krueger; and Harold (Dottie) Asmus Jr.'s children Karen (Tim) Mann, Beth (Kevin) Carlyle, Leo Asmus, and John (Brenda) Asmus; brother-in-law Gerald Asmus and his daughters Kimberly (Joe) Vergin and Kaylin Asmus and Marsha Asmus; Friou's children Jennifer (Chuck) Sprecher, Lisa (Tom) Rauls, Rebecca (Reid) Brown, Benjamin (Krystal) Friou and Amanda Friou; brother-in-law Robert (Lori) Asmus and their sons Jason (Larissa) Asmus and Andrew (Jessi) Asmus; as well as many grand-nieces and nephews.
Gerd was preceded in death by their daughter, Michelle; his parents, Hans and Meta Meukow; brother-in-law Dietmar Mirwaldt; niece Petra (Mirwaldt) Behncke; father-in-law Harold (Zip) Asmus; mother-in-law Eula Asmus; brother-in-law Harold Asmus Jr.; and sister-in-law Marsha Asmus-Friou.
A memorial service for Gerd is being held at Westgor Funeral Home, 1140 Appleton Rd, Menasha, WI, on Thurs, Jan. 2, 2024, at 11:00 am, with visitation from 9:00 am until the time of the service.
Gerd touched the lives of everyone he came across in all aspects of his life. He had a special bond with his grandsons, Devin and Cameron, and enjoyed so many special trips and outings filled with lots of treats!
The Meukow family would like to extend their gratitude to Compassus Hospice care for helping make Gerd's final days comfortable. This meant so much to him. Also, to any other healthcare professionals that helped him through life's journey. In his own words, they are such remarkable and special people.
We know that he is no longer in pain and that we will see him again in heaven, but it also leaves a huge hole in our hearts.
Dearest wife, daughter, and grandsons. As the sun sets into the horizon tonight, painting the sky with its marvelous colors, know this: I am near. I am the humidity that makes your hair curl, the dew on the windowpane, the breeze on a hot summer day, the snow that blankets the ground and sparkles in the light. I am the stillness of a quiet night.
I am all around you-I am not gone. I look upon your beautiful face through a thin veil. You may not see me, but make no mistake, I am here. I am watching over you, guiding you, helping you find your way. Until we meet again, kiddo, I will always be with you.
'God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you,
And whispered, "Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hardworking hands put to rest.
God broke our hearts.
But said to us,
"It is time for him to rest."