Rita Gerleman

Rita Gerleman, age 90, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Evans Senior Living in Cresco, Iowa.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 S. Maryville St., Calmar, Iowa, with Pastor Henry Huber presiding. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. This will be a combined service with her son, Floyd Gerleman. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Helms Funeral Homes/ French Chapel, 202 South Washington St., Calmar, Iowa. Also, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at St. Aloysius church on Thursday morning.

Rita Elizabeth (Kriener) Gerleman was born on June 13, 1935, on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA., the daughter of Chris and Cecilia (Kruse) Kriener. She graduated from St. Luke's Catholic School in St. Lucas, IA. Rita helped on the family farm until she was united in marriage to Paul Joseph Gerleman on August 25, 1953. Together, they farmed east of Calmar and raised their seven children, Floyd, Duane, Kevin, Karen, Loren, Susan, and Bruce. Rita was a loving wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and Great-great-grandmother. She was very active in farming. She loved to play softball, enjoyed cooking, crocheting, playing cards, and bingo, and was very competitive in everything she did. She loved her Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers football. Rita was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, St. Aloysius Rosary Society, and was a past president.

Rita is survived by her children: Duane (Viola) Gerleman, Ridgeway; Kevin (Sharon) Gerleman, Cresco; Karen (Duane) Martin, Fayette; Loren (Stephanie) Gerleman, Winterset; Susan (Dean) Vrba, Ft. Atkinson; and Bruce Gerleman, Calmar. Twelve Grandchildren: Brian (Jamie) Martin; Linda (Kyle) Sneed; Laura (Jim) Walbeck; Garrett (Sarah) Gerleman; Adam (Kayla) Gerleman; Grant Gerleman; Reece Gerleman; Brandon (Mariah) Gerleman; McKenzie (Jon) Parker; Larry Vrba; Nicholas Gerleman; and Samantha (Kyle)Wehrle. Fifteen Great Grandchildren: Brice, Brent, Anthony (Ashlee) and Waylon Martin: Neveah (Jonathan) Briggs, Kaydence (Anthony) Kephart, Khloe Sneed; Michael and Edmund Walbeck; Jack and Harvey Gerleman; Graham and Emmy Gerleman, and Eli and Olivia Parker, and Five Great-Great Grandchildren: Mylah, Briar, Murphy, Lylah, and Hudson. One Sister, Ann (Jack) Herold, Ft. Atkinson, and one Brother, Clarence (friend Becky Neuzil) Kriener, Spillville, Brothers and Sisters- in-law, Connie Kriener, Patricia Kriener, Margaret Koenigsfeld, Mardell (Lawrence) Corcoran, Betty (John) Pell, and Phyllis Prybelski, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Paul in 2016, Son Floyd in 2025, Her parents Chris and Cecilia Kriener, Father and Mother-in-law, Edmund and Cecilia Gerleman. Brothers: Luke (Leona) Kriener, Urban Kriener, and Marvin Kriener. Sisters: Irene (Vern) Schmitt and Agnes (Clarence) Soukup. Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Geniece Kriener; Marie (Ron) Kreitzer; Edna (Robert) Franke; Robert Koenigsfeld; Patrick Weigel, and Ron Prybelski. Nieces: Jane Smith, Amy Herold, Julie Kreitzer, and Sara Franke. Nephews: Stephen Weigel, Bruce Kriener, Ivan Kriener, and James Schmitt.