Galusha, Gerald V. 1923-2014

GALUSHA, GERHARDT, EHLERS, JONES, ANDERSON, WIDENER, EYE, HOVEY, GOODSMAN

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 11/14/2014 at 19:30:06

Gerald V. Galusha age 91 of Clinton, died Sunday Oct. 19, 2014 at his home. According to his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday at Chancy Lutheran Church, Clinton. Visitation will be held Saturday Noon until the service hour at the church. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.

Gerald was born on Aug. 16, 1923 in Garden Plaines, IL, the son of James and Louise (Gerhardt) Galusha. He graduated from Erie High School in 1942. He served in the US Army from 1942-1945 with the 90th Infantry Division under General Patton. He was wounded on Jan. 16, 1945 at the Battle of the Bulge, when he received severe head injuries from mortar shell shrapnel.

Gerald met Erana Ehlers in the fall of 1945. They were married on Jan. 12, 1947 in Clinton. Gerald worked for Chicago Northwestern Railroad for over 15 years. He later worked with the US Corps of Engineers at Lock & Dam #11 in Dubuque and Lock & Dam #12 in Bellevue, where Gerald and Erana made their home and raised two children, Timothy and Paula. He retired in 1983 from Lock & Dam #12. In 1984, Erana passed away from her illness, multiple sclerosis. Gerald met Helen Jones from Clinton in 1990, they later married in 1991. Gerald and Erana took many summer vacations with their daughter Paula to Kansas, Colorado, and Nevada in their mobile home; and continued to travel to Texas up until the year 2010.

Gerald was a member of Chancy Lutheran Church, Clinton, a lifetime member of the Bellevue American Legion Post 52, the AMVETS Post #62 in Andrews, IA, Bellevue Masonic Lodge #51, Clinton Consistory, and Kaaba Shrine of Davenport, and enjoyed playing cards at the Eagles Club.

Gerald is survived by his two children, Timothy Galusha of Otis, KS, Paula Lynn Galusha of Maquoketa; five grandchildren, Dennis Anderson of Davenport, IA, Stacey Widener of Clinton, Wendy Eye of Maquoketa, IA, Shane Hovey of Louisburg, KS, Dawn Galusha of Hoisington, KS; several great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Elaine Goodsman of Clinton, who he thought of as a sister. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, two grandsons, and a great grandson.