Gerald W. Udelhoven, 89, Fennimore, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2015 surrounded by his family.
Gerald was born December 2, 1925 near Rockville, Wisconsin to William and Lillie (Swendsen) Udelhoven. He proudly served his country in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and returned home a decorated soldier with two Purple Heart medals and two bronze service stars.
Gerald was united in marriage to Delores Stivarius at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Monfort, Wisconsin on February 15, 1955. Gerald was a life-long farmer. In 1956, he and Delores purchased a farm between Monfort and Fennimore on Highway 18. The couple farmed there until their retirement in the 1980’s and continued to call the farm home.
Gerald enjoyed hunting, traveling and playing FreeCell. He was never happier then when he had his entire family together. He valued family above all else. His sense-of-humor and smile will be deeply missed.
Gerald was an active member in the Monfort VFW, the Mineral Point DAV, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other military organizations.
Gerald is survived by Delores, his loving wife of 60 years, and their five children: Randy (Debbie) Udelhoven of Fennimore, Vickie Udelhoven of Plymouth, Jim (Deb) Udelhoven of Fennimore, Cathy Udelhoven of Mason City, Iowa, and Tom (Luba) Udelhoven of Postville, Iowa.
Gerald was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren: Mike Udelhoven of Fennimore, Brenda (Brandon) Hofmann of Germantown, Steve (Anna) Rood of Tomah, Angel (Jerry Yang) Udelhoven of Sacramento, California, Jessica Vosberg of Mason City, Iowa, Kandi (fiancé Brian Hill) of Appleton, Amy (Greg) McTaggart of San Francisco, California and Lara (Josh) Waldera of Chesapeake, Virginia; and three great-grandsons: Easton and Reed Hofmann and Mason Rood.
He is survived by one brother, Adolph Udelhoven and four sisters, Dorothy McReynolds, Loretta Austin, Wilma Dolan and Lillie Spitzbarth.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday July 25, 2015 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday evening July 24, 2015 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort where a Parish Rosary will be held at 8:00 P.M. on Friday evening.