Theodore "Ted" Gerbig

Gerbig, Theodore "Ted"

Theodore "Ted" Gerbig, 65, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Norman and Genevieve (Peterson) Gerbig on June 21, 1948. In July of 2003, Ted received the Gift of Life, a single lung, from David Duranceau, age 34.

Ted married his wife Shelby on March 4, 1978, and together they raised their family with much joy and laughter. After his lung transplant on July 11, 2003, Ted co-founded the North Central Wisconsin Donate Life Fund, created to bring awareness about organ donation to the north central Wisconsin area. Ted was beyond grateful for his gift of life and spent many hours spreading the word about organ donation. He was recently recognized for his efforts with a Jefferson Award.

Ted was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed hunting at the family cabin, and boating and fishing from his home on Lake Wausau. Ted liked to golf with a hole in one to his credit and was an avid bowler who once rolled a perfect 300 game. In his younger days, Ted played semi-pro baseball with the Marion Meisters. Ted also served in the National Guard and the Reserves for many years.

Ted retired from his job as Purchasing/Inventory Manager at Wausau Metals Corp. in 1999.

He is survived by his wife Shelby (Stilen) Gerbig, one son; Chad Gerbig, St. Louis Park, MN; three daughters; Jennifer (Mark) VanderKoy, Wausau; Heidi ( Joshua) Wiesman, Wausau; Kathleen (Andrew) Woodward, Weston; One brother; Schott (Peggy) Gerbig, Marion; two sisters; Cindy (Mike) Wudi, Medford; Kim (Ed) Bertram, Clintonville; eight (plus one on the way) grandchildren; Jack Gerbig, Minnesota; Adalene and Simon VanderKoy, Wausau; Owen, Ella and Emery Wiesman, Wausau; Andrew, Cash (and Thea coming soon) Woodward, Weston, his mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Marcille Stilen, Shiocton, extended family Kevin and Sue Sasman, Kronenwetter; Jodi and Ron Krenz, Wausau, niece Molly Newcomb, nephews Sheldon Gerbig, Todd Gerbig, Travis Bronk, Matthew Wudi, Jeremy Krenz and Shane Krenz.

Ted is also survived by his donor family, Mike and Connie Duranceau, Billy and Karen Duranceau and their three daughters, Evin, Lorenza and Zoe, all of Green Bay.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, and his lung brother Melvin Cayer of Gladstone, MI.

Visitation will be on July 14, 2013 from 2:00 - 8:00 at John J Buettgen Funeral Home in Schofield. A memorial service will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church with Rev. Raymond Connor officiating on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:00 am with an hour visitation prior to the service. Everyone is asked to park in the rear of the church.

Ted's family wishes to thank his medical teams at UW-Hospital & Clinics, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Bone & Joint Clinic, Cardiovascular Associates, and Aspirus VNA, Palliative Care & Hospice.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the North Central Wisconsin Donate Life or to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family. Condolences can be left at www.jjbfh.com