Geraldine Rose Pfluger

Geraldine Rose (Wick) Pfluger passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024 with her children by her side. Geri was born on August 11, 1936 in Downers Grove, IL. She lived in Chicago and Freeport for part of her childhood, then moved to Rockford while in second grade, where she spent most of her life. Geri attended St. Peter’s for grade school, then attended Muldoon High School and Northern Illinois University where she received a degree in English.  

Geri married Richard (Dick) Pfluger on June 22, 1957. Several years after they married, Dick built a house for his ‘beautiful bride’ where they lived for over 55 years. During this time, they raised nine children who all attended Holy Family School and Boylan High School. Each child then went on for college degrees in their chosen fields.  Because Geri highly valued education, she went back to school at Rockford College for a Masters in Special Education. She then used her skills and new degree to teach struggling readers at Holy Family School.  

Geri took great pride in keeping all the “kids” organized through tasks and chore lists while also encouraging involvement in various activities. Life was busy in the Pfluger household!

Geri was a founding member of Holy Family Church and loved her involvement in church activities. She enjoyed leading church discussion groups, singing in the choir, cantoring, and performing in “The Happening” variety show at Holy Family Church. Geri also loved social activities with various groups, including hosting parties at the house (Oktoberfests, Hawaiian Luau, and a Western Roundup). In addition, she loved sewing, needlepoint, card making, reading, piano playing, and traveling. She was also on the Board at the Center for Learning in Retirement and wrote over 50 book reviews for the Book Nook in the CLR newsletter. 

For the last several years Geri had been battling Parkinson’s Disease. She did her best to keep learning about the disease and to keep exercising. Geri recently completed an autobiographical book entitled, “The Stories of My Life” (geri.pfluger.org) which has been shared with extended family and friends.   The final comment in her book is, “There is always room for dessert.”

Geri is survived by her loving children, Cathy Stein (Lantz)/Rockford, Steve Pfluger (Melanie)/Rockford, Beth Pfluger (Ron Nelson)/Whitefish Bay, WI, Mike Pfluger (Judy)/Bonney Lake, WA, Mary Swyers (Mikel)/Ballwin, MO, Lauri Paris (Seth)/Aptos, CA, Greg Pfluger/Madison, WI, Jeffrey Pfluger (Felicia)/Brookfield, IL, and Jennifer Pfluger (Nick Kaplinsky)/Swarthmore, PA. Geri has 24 grandchildren: David (Ashley), Christopher, Eric (Lynessa), Karen, Sarah, Jonathan, Adam (Madison), Heidi (Steve), Alicia (Kenny), Trevor, Richard (Emily), Jim, Anna, Rebecca, Andy (Taylor), Jake (Sophie), Kate, Theo, Elena, Max, Alyssa (John), Justin, Eden, and Simon; she has six great-grandchildren with another baby on the way.  She is also survived by her sister, Carol Rubner, and by her sister-in-laws, Ginny Pfluger, OP and Elaine Pfluger. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Dick and four siblings. 

Special thanks to local Parkinson’s organizations, Cedarhurst Assisted Living staff where Geri has lived the past six years, and to Northern Illinois Hospice for their care and compassion. Any donations can be presented on Geri’s behalf to Holy Family School and to the Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association.  

A visitation will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a time of sharing to follow at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Visitation will continue on Monday, April 15, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Avenue, Rockford, Illinois, 61107 with a fellowship to follow. Private interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Winnebago, Illinois. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com