Gerleman, Clark Edward 1944 - 2023

GERLEMAN, KUBOUSHEK, LECHTENBERG, SWISHER, CANADAY, JENKS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/10/2023 at 16:57:43

Clark Edward Gerleman, age 79, of Elizabeth, Ill., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Clark was born on Jan. 5, 1944 to Rudy and Wilma (Kuboushek) Gerleman of Calmar. He worked for FMC Corporation for over 25 years travelling all over the United States and to Japan in various levels of service capacity retiring as the Director of Service for the heavy construction equipment and crane divisions. Upon retirement from FMC, he founded Fox River Valley Sash and Door company for 10 years. In 2001, he retired to Elizabeth to become a gentleman farmer.

He married the love of his life, Joyce Lechtenberg, on Sept. 12, 1964 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. Clark and Joyce had three children, Kelli (Gerleman) Swisher, Warren Gerleman, and Grant Gerleman.

Clark lived a full life and was a master of all trades. He was known for winemaking, woodworking, gardening, feeding the birds, fixing anything, and his passion for family traditions. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandchild. Clark was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, member of the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Nursing Home, and avid antique collector

Clark actively practiced his faith as a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth, Illinois where he was a lector, sang in the choir, and participated in the parish council and various subcommittees. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Joyce; his children, Kelli (David) Swisher of Galena, Ill., and Grant Gerleman (girlfriend Andrea Christ) of Carpentersville, Ill.; his grandchildren, Amanda Swisher (fiancé Caleb Droescher) of Omaha, Neb., Austin (Shannon) Swisher of Stevens Point, Wis., Adam Swisher (girlfriend Izabella Johnson) of Lubbock, Texas, Garrett Gerleman and Monica Gerleman; his great-grandchild, William Swisher; his brother, Roger (Dianne) Gerleman of New Hampton; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Lechtenberg of Ossian, Edna Lechtenberg of Postville, Jeanne Lechtenberg of Decorah, Kay Canaday of Arvada, Colo., and Mary Lou (Joe) Jenks of Atlanta, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Wilma Gerleman; parents-in-law, Joe and Caroline Lechtenberg; and son, Warren Gerleman; brothers-in-law, Jim Lechtenberg, Mark Lechtenberg, Duane Lechtenberg and Bill Canaday.

Clark’s family would like to extend a word of gratitude to Dr. Andrea Ries, the various specialists at the Mayo Clinic, and Hospice of Dubuque for their excellent care over the past three years.

A Mass of Remembrance will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth, Ill., on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at 11 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Wenceslaus in Spillville, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. There will be a one-hour visitation held prior to Mass on both Thursday and Friday at the respective locations. In lieu of flowers, thefamily requests donations to be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Hospice of Dubuque in Clark’s memory.