Geraldine (Gerri) M. Elswick, Age 97
Loving Wife, Mother and Grandma
Geraldine Elswick passed away on March 30, 2024, in Rockford, Ill. She was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Cedar County, Neb., to Paul Edwin and Alma (Carlson) Paulson. She married Richard B. Elswick at Pella Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 31, 1961.
Prior to her marriage she was employed by Lincoln Telephone Company in Hastings, Neb., United Airlines in Los Angeles, and Mutual and United in Omaha, Neb. Rockford has been her home since her marriage. Before her children were born, she was employed by Central Illinois Electric and Gas Company, then was a stay-at-home Mom, enjoying many volunteer opportunities during her children’s years at Highland School and Rockford East High School. After the children entered college, she was employed as a secretary at Court Street United Methodist Church from 1984 until she retired in 1994.
A member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church since May 1963, Gerri was always happy to say ‘YES!” to the many opportunities to volunteer. She enjoyed being active in ALCW, WELCA, circles, and the hospitality committee. She served as a Sunday School teacher, kitchen coordinator, funeral luncheon volunteer and coordinator and on the communications committee of the church council.
She enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandson, Kyle. She enjoyed baking, cooking, and collecting recipes, bowling, vacationing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, watching Cubs games and visiting extended family and friends in Iowa and Nebraska. Gerri has been a member of ‘Vegetarians in Motion’ for over 20 years and has supplied heart healthy recipes for publication in the Rockford Ornish Newsletter.
Survivors include her husband, Richard; son Jonathan (Heidi) of Frederick, Md.; daughter Julie Suchomel of Wadsworth, Ill.; grandson Kyle (Brooke) Elswick of Madison, Wis; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Predeceased by parents; brothers Harold, Lloyd, and Wayne; sisters Doris Winkelbauer and Harriet Anderson and son-in-law, Robert Suchomel.
A visitation for Gerri will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., Rockford, IL, 61107. Burial in the Elswick family plot in Carson Cemetery, Carson, Iowa. Any memorials in memory of Gerri may be sent to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
Arrangements made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Rockford, Ill., and Loess Hills Funeral Home, Carson, Iowa.