Obituary of Mary Anne Gerlach

Mary Anne Gerlach, 82, of Whitewater passed peacefully to eternal life on Monday, June 19, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mary Anne was born on January 26, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Lester and Eunice (Brubaker) Davis.  She spent many of her early years in Bridgetown, a suburb of Cincinnati, where she enjoyed playing croquet with the neighborhood kids.  Mary Anne also enjoyed learning to play bridge with her parents and her sister, Lois.  She graduated from Western Hills High School in 1959, and went on to graduate from Ohio University in 1963.  She met her life partner, Jacob Gerlach, playing bridge at the Methodist Church Wesley youth room in Athens, Ohio.  On December 27, 1962 Mary Anne married Jake in Cincinnati, Ohio.  They were both majors in mathematics, and were accepted in the Phd mathematics program at UW-Madison in 1963.  After they completed the required course work, they moved to Whitewater where Jake joined the UW-Whitewater Mathematics Department in 1968, and they both finished their theses.

They joined the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir, as well as serving on committees.  Mary Anne became the chair of the Mission Committee.  Mary Anne also joined United Methodist Women, inspired by their mission to serve women, children, and youth.  She got involved in bridge marathons, and also wrote out route sheets for the local Meals on Wheels (MOW) program.  She learned to use a computer for her MOW tasks – she liked saying she told people where to go.  Mary Anne eventually took over the scheduling for the MOW bridge marathon.  She also became a Girl Scout leader when her girls were old enough to be in the troop, and enjoyed creating craft project for them.

Mary Anne taught at UW-Whitewater part time, as needed.  She became a full time faculty member in 1976.  She taught some computer courses as well as math courses.  Mary Anne loved her returning students in algebra – they worked hard.  She and Jake both retired in 1997.  After retiring, she went back to another love – art.  Mary Anne joined an art class at the Fort Atkinson Senior Center, which became an art group after the teacher died.  She joined the Whitewater Arts Alliance and the Association of Wisconsin Artists.  Her art won some prizes at the AWA State Show.

Mary Anne enjoyed playing bridge, Scrabble, and word games, as well as working sudokos and ciphers.  She also enjoyed reading.

Mary Anne is survived by her husband, Jacob Gerlach; brother, Ed; children, Joy Balius, Lois Kailhofer, Charles (Sharon) Gerlach; niece and nephew, Ruth and David Reisman; many other nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Maureen, Robert, Benjamin, Max, Grace, Julia, and Luke. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Eunice Davis; sister, Lois Jeanne Reisman; and a grandchild.

A memorial service will take place at 11AM on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater.  Visitation will take place from 9AM until the time of service.  Guests may attend the memorial service virtually at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1224372206. 

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com