Caroline L. Gerlach

Milwaukee, Wis. - Caroline L. Dugan-Gerlach, formerly of Merrimack, N.H., died Oct. 27, 2015, at the age of 58 years, after a brief illness. She was born in 1957 in Bellwood, Ill., the daughter of Barbara Dugan and the late L. Edward Dugan. She was a 1975 graduate of Northfield High School in Northfield, Minn., and a 1978 graduate of New Hampshire Community Technical College-Claremont in Claremont, where she earned an associate's degree in respiratory therapy. Caroline's career as a registered respiratory therapist spanned over 30 years, serving patients in southern New Hampshire; Boca Raton, Fla.; and eventually Milwaukee, where she lived for the past 23 years.

Caroline was a beautiful soul who loved to laugh and looked at life with both optimism and a hint of mischief. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and dear friends, and enjoyed cooking, gardening, and was a voracious reader. Wherever she went, Caroline had a unique talent for finding a person who was in need of support. She could immediately spot an "underdog" in a crowd full of strangers and always gravitated to that person to lend a hand or an offer of immediate friendship. This compassion spilled over to her deep love for animals, as she fostered and rescued hundreds of cats in her lifetime. Caroline felt it was her duty to offer her unconditional support to those in need.

But perhaps her greatest joy in life was her son, Timothy, whom she adored. Her eyes would light up whenever he walked into the room, and she counted him as her greatest blessing. She was a tenderhearted and loving soul and will be deeply missed by all who loved
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Caroline leaves behind her son, Timothy, of Milwaukee; her mother, Barbara Dugan, of Manchester, N.H.; two brothers, Patrick Dugan of San Diego, Calif., and William Dugan of Faribault, Minn.; four sisters, Kathryn Kelley of Belchertown, Mass., Mary Beth King of St. Cloud, Minn., Jeanne Wilson of Brookline, N.H., and Teresa Dainesi of Bedford, N.H.; her former husband, William Gerlach, of Racine; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

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SERVICES: A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., at St. John Paul II Parish - St. Helen Church (3329 South 10th St., Milwaukee), followed by the celebration of memorial Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milwaukee Humane Society, 4500 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208, or to your local Animal Rescue League.

Serving the family is Rozga-Walloch Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4309 South 20th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221; 414-281-7145; www.rozgafuneral.com.