Geraldine L. Gjerseth (Nichols) of Milwaukee, 91, passed away on May 5th, 2024, at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa with family by her side.

Geraldine was born in Browns Valley, Minnesota on August 22, 1932, daughter of William and Lola Nichols (Minder). Geraldine married Wayne Gjerseth on August 9, 1953, in Black River Falls, WI. They moved to Milwaukee where they raised their family.

Geraldine treasured her family above all, and the time spent with her family. Her grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “GG”. Any occasion was a good reason to be together, playing countless games of BINGO, wearing matching Christmas hats, and always finding a reason to laugh. Geraldine loved spending time with her many friends and happily filled her calendar with social engagements, from church gatherings to being a member of WOW to countless lunches with friends. Geraldine was an active member of her church and enjoyed bringing hope and love to others through the gift of prayer shawls. Geraldine worked at several restaurants in the Milwaukee area including the JC Penney Coffee Shop at Southridge Mall when it opened in the early 1970’s.

Geraldine is survived by her children; Dennis (Marie) Gjerseth, Julie Gjerseth Rusch; her grandchildren; Jennifer Gjerseth, Sara (Charlie) Thelen, Jacob Rusch, Lisa (Aaron) Swaner; her great-grandchildren: Declan and Teagan Pyka, and Annabelle Swaner, sister-in-law Rhonda Nichols, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Gjerseth, sister Ardith (Phillip) Nortman, brothers Martin (Colleen) Nichols and William Nichols, sister-in-law Joyce (Keith) Eckberg, brother-in-law Gerald (Faith) Gjerseth and friend Tom Peterson.

Special thank you to: The Neuro ICU Team at St Luke’s Milwaukee including Dr. Siegal and RN Annie; Staff at Zilber Family Hospice, Caregiver Bonnie Meredith, neighbors and former neighbors who became family, church family and friends from Blessed Hope Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 17 from 10:00-1:00 with a memorial service to start at 1:00 at Blessed Hope United Methodist Church. Friends and family are invited to attend a luncheon following the service. The burial will take place Saturday, May 18 at 11:00 at Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls, WI. The family requests any memorials be made to the Zilber Family Hospice in Geraldine’s memory.