Gerritje “Gerry” Van De Weerd, 78, of Merrill, died Monday, September 3, 2012 at Hospice House in Wausau.
She was born March 13, 1934 to the late Jan Willem & Gerritje (Beumer) Jansen. She married Evert Van De Weerd in Holland on August 26, 1955. He preceded her in death March 29, 2001.
Gerry grew up in Holland. She experienced the hardships of WWII during her childhood. Gerry met her husband Evert, in 1956 they moved with their infant son, Tom, to Irma, WI. She was a homemaker until she went to school in 1975 and graduated with a nursing degree from NTC in 1981. Gerry worked as a registered nurse for Wausau Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill, retiring in 2002. Gerry was a member of First United Methodist Church of Wausau. She was active in the Merrill Christian Women’s Club and also a member of the Red Hat Society. Gerry enjoyed gardening, needle point, doing word puzzles, reading and traveling. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. In most recent years, she enjoyed the time she spent with her friend Tom Frey.
Survivors include her three sons: Tom Van De Weerd, Irma, Paul (Betty) Van De Weerd, Irma and David (Joy Dietrich) Van De Weerd, Tomahawk; daughter: Karin (Jack) Divett, Merrill; brother; Hank (Bep) Jansen, Holland; seven grandchildren: Shawn, Shelly, Dustin, Michael, Julie, Corey and Rheanna; ten Great-Grandchildren: Collin, Alexa, Nicholas, Ronan, Kingsley, Caleb, Eli, Lukas, Alexandra and Mikenna. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Evert.
Services will be held 12:00 PM Friday, September 7, 2012 at Waid Funeral Home. The Rev. Jerry Morris will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Thursday, September 6, 2012 and again Friday from 11 AM until the time of service all at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Irma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.