Viola M. Gerner 1916-2008

BALK, CROATT, GERNER, DOYLE, KASEL, KOTOWSKI

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/3/2008 at 20:27:47

Viola M. Gerner

Viola M. Gerner, 91, of Dubuque Nursing and Rehab Center, formerly of 701 Groveland Place, died at 2:30 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2008, at Dubuque Nursing and Rehab Center.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 15th and Iowa Streets, where friends may call after 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 12. Entombment will be in Resurrection Garden Mausoleum at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., is in charge of arrangements.

She was born on Aug. 21, 1916, in St. Lucas, daughter of John and Margaret (Balk) Croatt. Vi was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy in Dubuque.

She married Marcellus J. "Marc" Gerner on Sept. 28, 1937, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dubuque; he preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 2001. Viola and Marc farmed in the Sherrill area before moving to Dubuque in 1952.

Vi had a great memory and liked to visit and recall memories of the past, at the end of which she would always exclaim "That's my chapter for today."

Vi enjoyed traveling with Marc, playing piano for family gatherings and bingo. Vi loved nature and she enjoyed watching the birds and seeing the squirrels sitting on her window sill.

Surviving are many cousins including, Sr. Marie Barth, PBVM, of Presentation Convent, Dubuque, and CeCe Doyle, of Marion, who both cared for her; three sisters-in-law, Alice Kasel and Laura Gerner, both of Dubuque, and Regina Kotowski, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Dubuque Nursing and Rehab for their loving care and concern for Viola these past years and to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque for their care in these last days.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Tuesday, March 11, 2008