Donald J. Gerrits

Donald J. Gerrits, 96, of Fond du Lac, died on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at The Courtyard of Oshkosh. He was born in Hollandtown, WI on January 16, 1928, to the late Theodore and Petronella (Van Vreede) Gerrits. 

 Don lived in various cities including: Kaukana, Chilton, Brothertown and New Holstein, where he graduated high school. He loved music and played cornet in the polka band of New Holstein. Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was immediately assigned to the U.S.S. Carisle APA 69 naval ship. Was sent to Pearl Harbor to test atomic bombs. This was called Operation Crossroads. (1 arial and 1 underwater). In 1946 at Bikini in the Marshall Islands, we were to board the ships about 10-14 days after the test. After completing, he was reassigned to the U.S.S. Teleman ARB-8. Then reassigned to a destroyer escort ship U.S.S. Fieberling. He went to San Diego and was discharged from the Navy with a WWII victory medal on November of 1947. He moved to Sheboygan, where he met his beautiful wife, Edith Voigt, and was married on September 30, 1950, at Holy Name Catholic Church by Father Jordin. 

 Don was hired by AT&T Company in 1948. He worked in Sheboygan, Appleton, and then transferred to Fond du Lac in 1960 where he worked in the engineering department and attended school. In 1978 he continued project planning for the Fond du Lac district until his retirement in 1986. 

 He was president of various organizations such as Local #5524 C.W.A. Workers, Dairy Land Telephone Council, and St. Patrick’s Church Council, of which he ushered for about 30 years. A Life member of Knights of Columbus #664 Fond du Lac and life member of Sheboygan VFW #9156. 

 Don loved the outdoors. Don and Edie had a winter home in Lake Placid, FL for many years. Don’s hobbies were bow hunting, fishing, water skiing, camping, dancing, and traveling with his family. Don and Edie were in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Roosevelt Island Home, Mexico, and Alaska, plus about 45 other states. Don Loved his family and relished the time he spent with all of them through the years. 

 He is survived by his children, Sandra Kolstad, Paul (Karen) Gerrits, Donna (David McCauley, and Robert (Kelly) Gerrits; ten grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith in 2013; two grandchildren, Annabelle McCauley and Sara Gerrits; and five sisters. 

 The visitation will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home and again on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at church. Burial will occur at Lutheran Cemetery, Sheboygan, WI. 

 Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com