Dennis "Bud" Gerner

Our husband, father, grandpa and friend was called to heaven Sunday, September 2, 2012.Dennis “Bud” Gerner was born March 22, 1936 to Lela Kalkofen.On September 22, 1979, he married Shirley Rymer.It was a long couple of years for him but he would not have traded one minute of them. He fought the whole while and surprised us many times along the way. He was a tough guy with a stubborn streak! He was a gentle giant of the finest kind. He had a warm smile and a wonderful laugh. He was an Army veteran, a really great football player in his day, and a Golden Gloves boxer. He was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers and enjoyed a dice game more than most!Bud loved the time he spent with his family and the time with his “extended” bar family at Bud & Shirley’s Riverside. He loved his sons, his grand children and he dearly loved his wife, Shirley, who stood by and stroked his cheek until his very last breath.He was very proud to run the tavern begun by his mother back in the 1930’s and he retired from Giddings & Lewis after 34 years in 1998.Bud was a member of the Oakfield VFW Post 8092 and Eagles Aerie #270.He is survived by his wife Shirley, his two sons Jeff (Lee Ann) Gerner and Dennis (Faith) Gerner, and his grandchildren Joshua, Jacob, Caleb and Claire. He is further survived by his brother, Kenneth Gerner and nieces Kathy Gerner of Oakfield and Laura (Brian) Johnson of Hammond, WI. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Douglas (Irene) Rymer, Reginald (Marlene) Rymer, Ronald (Doris) Rymer and sisters-in-law Beverly Hull, Marilyn (Kenneth) Garb, Marlene Hendrichs, Cheryl (Wayne) Kuslits, Joyce (Ronald) Roth and Dorothy (Marshall) Proehl and Phyllis Pionke.He was dearly loved and will be missed. Our lives were richer because he was here.Funeral services for Dennis “Bud” Gerner will take place on Thursday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division St., with Deacon Michael Hackbarth officiating.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Mach Funeral Chapel.Entombment will follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice Home of Hope.

Dennis "Bud" Gerner

March 22, 1936 - September 2, 2012