Gerry Whitaker

GERALDINE MARIE 'GERRY' WHITAKER was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 27, 1931. When she was six weeks old, she went to live with her parents, Louis and Elsa (Brockstedt) Winsel near Woodstock, Minnesota. At the age of three, she moved with her parents to the Holland, Minnesota area where she was raised and attended country school. She continued her education at Pipestone High School in Pipestone, Minnesota. After her high school graduation in 1949, she helped her dad farm. She also worked at the Royal Hotel in Pipestone and drove school bus. On September 10, 1951, she was united in marriage to Archie Paul 'Bud' Whitaker at First Presbyterian Church in Holland. Following their marriage, they farmed for many years near Holland. In 1966, Gerry started working at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Pipestone. Then, in 1967, she became employed at Taubert's Market in Holland. She continued to work there for 20 years. She became a resident of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota on August 3, 2010. This past month she was placed under hospice care at the nursing home. She died there on Monday, July 30, 2012 at the age of 81 years and three days.

Gerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland. She was also a member of the Holland American Legion Auxiliary. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins baseball and Vikings footfall. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family and friends and playing bridge. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren and going to their school and sporting activities.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Bud Whitaker of Tyler, Minnesota; three children, Kraig Whitaker and his wife Peggy of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Keith Whitaker and his wife Mary of Shakopee, Minnesota, and Kim Begeman and her husband Ed of Winthrop, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert; and an infant granddaughter.