Edythe D. “Edie” Gerke, age 80, of Beaver Dam, died Saturday, November 28, 2017 at Dycora Transitional Health in Beaver Dam.
Private services will be held.
Edythe was born on June 27, 1937 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to the late Clem and Dorothea (Roberts) Leisses. After graduating from Beaver Dam High School in 1955, she worked as a telephone operator at AT&T in Beaver Dam for almost 20 years. Edie then owned and operated Gerke’s Corner Tavern on Madison Street in Beaver Dam for 20 years where they were well known for their great food. Edythe loved to play cards, especially cribbage. She was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaver Dam.
Survivors include her four sisters and brothers, Karen (Dale) Hallman of Princeton, Clem (Jackie) Leisses of Virginia, Gwyneth (Gordon Laue of Beaver Dam, and Darrell (Donna) Leisses if Columbus; a very special friend, Jim Shepard of Beaver Dam; two brothers-in-law, Lyle Draeger of AZ and Gerald Schoenwetter of Columbus; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Edythe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1985; and four sisters and brothers, Jouqin Leisses, William Leisses, Dorothea Draeger; and Ethlyn Schoenwetter.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com
