Gerry Irwin

Gerald (Gerry) A. Irwin passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 after a long battle with Dementia/Alzheimers. While this disease took his memory, he never forgot a single cuss word! Gerry also never lost his sense of humor! Gerry was born on March 5, 1941 in Sac City Iowa to Clarence (Delores) Irwin and Juanita (Bud) Barker. Gerry served in the Army National Guards from 1959 - 1962. Gerry did his active-duty training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and later served in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was part of the Infantry Divisin B Battery.

Gerry was a custodian at Two Mile school in Wisconsin Rapids. He had a love for music and was the drummer with the Zakons from 1957 - 1983. The Zakons were a well-known local Rock N Roll band that began in the late 50's and the early 60's, playing for local high school dances and small clubs. As their popularity grew, they began playing in lounges and night clubs. They recorded their first single in 1961 which included Trackin and Wasted and later they released another single Dollar to my Name and Dreamland USA. In 1973 they released, The Sounds of the Zakons album.

Gerry and his first wife Patti owned/operated many local establishments in Wisconsin Rapids including Terrace Gardens, Golden Gate, Siesta Motel and Mr G's. Gerry married Rosalinda (Rosi) Sullivan on July 21,1984 in Hancock WI and this is where they called home. In addition to working construction and bartending, he was a butcher for several grocery stores. Gerry and Rosi recently celebrated 40 years of marriage. Gerry is survived by his wife Rosi Irwin, children, Tina (Dan) Bartram, Tricia (Frank) Hofer, Tammy (Todd) Twait, Lisa Sullivan, Lenny (Kristin Riebe) Sullivan. His grandchildren Justin Bartram, Cassie (Ryan) Gruber, Brad (Haley) Bartram, Jenny (Ben) Brawders, Nick (Jen) Hofer, Jon (April Schulz) Hofer, Ben (Camen) Hofer, Heather (Adam) Nelson, Amber (Zach) Branch, Jessica (Brenna Moore) Irwin, Dustin ( Elizabeth Simonis) Irwin, Joshua (Kaylene) Irwin, Derek, Elius, Zya Irwin, Kiana (Adam Landen) Spanbauer, Brittni (Josh) Sparks, Jessica Sullivan and great grandchildren Wyatt Coates, Maylin, Maxine, Hadley, Sylvie Bartram, Bronson, Weston, Logan Brawders, Ivie, Rhett, Grayson, Odin Hofer, Madison, Blake Nelson, Colten, Kadence, Ashrum, Kitiara, Blythe Irwin and Jace (Mateo) Sullivan. Gerry is further survived by his, brothers, Roger and Harlan Irwin and sister Holly (William) Loomis. Brother in laws, Sam (Helen) Hernandez, Arnie (Trina) Hernandez, Joe, Roy, Alfie, Ruben and Gilbert Hernandez. Sister in law Minnie (Bob) Freitag and many nieces and nephews. In his free time, Gerry enjoyed golfing and woodworking that included making signage. Gerry took pride in home projects and his lawn. He enjoyed processing venison sausage for family and friends. Gerry and his wife Rosi loved to travel, especially to the mountains, Nashville and Texas. Gerry will be remembered by the Hancock Community for the 100's of breakfast tacos that he and Rosi made and sold every Labor Day weekend. His children and grandchildren will remember him for the brat making parties in which experiments were done to create just the right flavor for specialty brats including "garbage can" brats. He will also forever be remembered by his grandchildren as never wearing a shirt, especially while carving the Thanksgiving turkey. Gerry had a love for his beer and brandy (aka boiler makers). One of his favorite passtimes was "sneaking" down to Sneaky Pete's in Hancock for a cold afternoon beverage.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents, son Terry, brother David, mother-in-law Enedina Hernandez, sister in law's Bonnie Irwin and Diane Hernandez, brother in laws Eddie and Art Hernandez, and nephew Scott Loomis.

Gerry's family would like to thank the staff with the VA, Inclusa staff and caregivers and St Croix Hospice for the wonderful care during his illness.