Geraldine Grace Geischer

Geischer, Geraldine Grace “Gerry”

Age 92 years. Entered into Eternal Life August 26, 2023.  Born in Milwaukee. June 18, 1931, Gerry was the only child of Paul and Irene Geischer. She attended Catholic Grade Schools and graduated from Messmer High School in1949, dreaming of becoming a fashion artist.

Living with her parents, she worked in factories, saving to attend the Layton School of Art, now MIAD. After only two years at Layton, she made a portfolio. Bingo! Gimbel’s, Milw. Store ad dept. hired her to illustrate woman’s wear in the newspapers. After 6 years, Gerry moved to Rosenberg’s, where she created entire high-end fashion ads. In 1959 her father passed. In 1963 her mother, Irene, suffered a stroke.

Suddenly, Gerry became a full-time, Rehab-Care-giver, helped by Visiting Nurses .She taught Figure Drawing evenings at Milwaukee Area Technical College. A kind neighbor stayed with Irene those evenings.  In Jan. 1972, her Dear Mom died. Gerry was offered a tenured position at MATC in Graphic Arts, the first woman to join an all-male faculty. At her first departmental meeting, the Dean asked her to take minutes. Shocked, Gerry responded, “Sorry, Sir, I can’t take minutes and fully participate. The Dean got his secretary to record.  Gerry taught at MATC for thirty more years. She earned a Batchelor, than a Master of Visual Arts at UW-Milwaukee. It took 27 years! Her persistence paid off.

Gerry met Paul Strain at a Catholic Alumni function in 1963. He built a ramp for Irene’s wheelchair and treated them to dinners. He was her life-long friend and travel pal.

After Irene’s death, Gerry found a summer Round-the-World, study trip. She coaxed four friends to fill the six week trip. She shared all the wonders with her MATC students.

Hiking the Swiss Alps, amid cow bells chimes, while living in Grindelwald for nine summers, was Gerry’s joy. She and Paul cherished farm-folk, who let her photograph them making cheese in mountain huts. Her images won top awards in a local show. She enjoyed World Expos; Knoxville’82, New Orlean’s ‘84 Vancouver’86, Seville’92.

Gerry used professional leave at MATC to attend the Design Conferences in Park City, Utah. She found time to ski down from the Summit, on small skis, stopping often. Bravo!

 A devout Catholic, Gerry always attended Mass wherever she ventured. At age 18, she was active in the Legion of Mary at St. Gall’s Parish, visiting nursing homes. She served meals at St. Bens and the Cathedral Shelter. She was a Saturday Eucharist Minister twice a month at St. Michael’s Hospital for 15 years. “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

Gerry is survived by second cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be held for Gerry on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 9:30m until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. all at Holy Family Parish Church, 4825 North Wildwood Avenue, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 53217. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A reception is planned for after Mass in McCormick Hall at the church. Memorials to St. Ben's Meal Program or the Cathedral Shelter.                       

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