White, Gerald Albert 1930-2005
WHITE, THORNTON, BENSON, FARRINGTON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/8/2012 at 15:51:54
Gerald White, age 75 of Decorah, IA, died on Sunday, September 11, 2005 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. of post surgical complications.
Funeral Service is at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, IA by Rev. Carol A. Kress, with interment in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah with Full Military Honors accorded by Helof-Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977, Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post No. 163, D.A.V. Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8 and AMVETS Post No. 96
Visitation is from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Wednesday after 10:00 AM at the Church.
Gerald Albert White was born February 9, 1930 in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Earl L. and Mabel E. (Thornton) White. He graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1948. He served in the US Army and then graduated from Luther College in Decorah with the Class of 1954.
He was united in marriage with Darlene Mae Benson on March 26, 1955 in Racine, WI. To this union four children were born: Jeff, John, Julie and Kathy.
Gerald worked in numerous cities across the United States, serving the needs of several major corporations. He began his career as a cost accountant and later was promoted to vice president and financial controller. Gerald started his career in Newton, Iowa for Maytag Corporation and later moved with the company to Clinton, Iowa and Shreveport, Louisiana. Subsequently, he joined the Ben Hogan Golf Company in Fort Worth, Texas. A few years later, AMF Corporation bought out Ben Hogan and the company moved Gerald to Milwaukee, WI to work with their Harley Davidson subsidiary. He left Harley Davidson and joined Allis Chalmers while in Milwaukee. The company later joint ventured with Siemens Corporation and Siemens transferred him to Atlanta, GA and then to Jackson, MS, New Orleans, LA, back to Jackson, MS, and then Raleigh, NC over the years. Gerry and Darlene settled in Atlanta following his retirement, until Darlene’s untimely death in 1998. He then moved back to his hometown of Decorah to care for his mother, Mabel.
Gerry was a very giving man who lived out his Christian faith by consistently serving his church, the larger body of Christian believers and the communities wherever he lived. In addition to being a dedicated husband and father, he applied his gifts of encouragement, organization and practical service to bless those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darlene on November 30, 1998; one daughter, Julie Marie in infancy; and two sisters-in-law, Donna and Mamie White.
Survivors include his three children: Jeff (Kristy) White of Delafield, WI, John (Barbara) White of Lake Jackson, TX and Kathy (Bill) Farrington of Little Rock, AR; eight grandsons, Ryan White, Erik White, Benjamin White, Will Farrington, David White, Danny White, Jack White and Joey White; two granddaughters, Kappie Farrington and Susanna Farrington; three brothers, Ervin White of Decorah, IA, Richard (Susan) White of Wisconsin Dells, WI and Donald (Beverly) White of Decorah; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Gerald A. White memorial fund has been established for the Gundersen Lutheran I.C.U.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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