Obituaries

GERALD J. ATKINSON

      Gerald J. “Jerry” Atkinson, 87, Burlington, died May 22, 2017, at Pine Brook Pointe. He was born in Racine on May 10, 1930, to the late Clair James and Viola Elizabeth (Thielen) Atkinson.

He was a 1948 graduate of St. Catherine’s High School in Racine. In 1951, Jerry chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force to serve his country during the Korean War.

On Feb. 13, 1954, he married the love of his life, Betty Mae Forsmark, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Racine.

He worked as a field engineer for Wisconsin Electric (Burlington branch) for 37 years. In 1964 Jerry, Betty and their daughter, Gale, moved to Burlington. Throughout his life, he had a great love and appreciation of nature and the great outdoors. For many years he enjoyed going hunting and fishing. He spent time hiking, canoeing, camping and cross-country skiing, as well. Jerry also earned a lifetime membership to the Racine Instinctive Bowmen Club. More recently, he enjoyed spending time reading Louis L’Amour books, watching NASCAR (#24- Jeff Gordon), being an armchair quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeye football team. He also challenged himself to do a Sudoku puzzle daily to stay sharp.

Jerry was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish. He had great faith and trust in the Lord, and thanked God each day for all the blessings that he received. He strived to lead by example through both his words and actions. Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He was especially proud and grateful to be the grandfather of Elizabeth. Of all things on Earth, Elizabeth was the most precious to him. Jerry tried with all of his might to stay with her, as well as the rest of the family, as long as he possibly could. To his family, Jerry was a hero in so many ways.

Survivors include his daughter, Gale (Theodore) Hegeman, Burlington; granddaughter, Elizabeth (Dr. Brooks J.) Obr, Coralville, Iowa; siblings, Lorraine Janz, Mosinee, Carol Briscoe, Huntington Beach, Calif., Mary (Jack) McGue, Frankfort, Ohio, Timothy (Patricia) Atkinson, Racine; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Sally Cushman, Mt. Pleasant; nieces; nephews; other relatives and dear friends.

He was further preceded in death by his wife, Betty; brother, Ronald; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sam and Elida Forsmark; other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation is Wednesday May 31, from 9-11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church chapel in, Burlington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated starting at 11 a.m. A light luncheon in Heim Hall will follow Mass. Burial will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Racine. Mealy Funeral Home, Inc, Waterford, is serving the family.

In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials made to St. Mary’s Parish or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. David Taylor, Dr. Fouad Jamal-ul Husnain, Aurora Hospice of Burlington, Pine Brook Pointe, and to all of the nurses and staff that had been involved in giving special care and attention to our father, grandfather, and brother, Jerry.

Well-wishers can visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.

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