Geraldine "Gerry" (Miller) Anderson

Geraldine “Gerry” Anderson age 81, of Eben Junction, died following a two-year illness on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.  She was born on July 27, 1941, the youngest of three children to Reinhold and Avis (Newell) Miller.  Gerry grew up on the family farm and graduated valedictorian from Oconto Falls High School in 1959.  While raising her family, she worked at Frigo Cheese in Lena, WI and worked as the office manager at Milwaukee Valve.  On October 9, 1977, she married Marvin Anderson and her family moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1978.  Gerry was the office manager at Norman Oil from 1979 until 2003.  She and Marvin were married over twenty-six years when he preceded her in death on December 24, 2003.  After Marvin’s death, Gerry became a VIP summer volunteer.  She spent two years at the Apostle Islands and twelve years at Glacier National Park in Montana (2009 – 2021.)  She spent her winters here with her friends “The Geezerettes” who spent time together in friendship while socializing and exercising together.

Gerry was active in the Alger County community.  She served as secretary for the Yard and Garden Club of Alger County.   Gerry volunteered at the Chatham checkpoint of the Midnight Run dogsled race, and was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church where she taught CCD and served on the finance committee.  She was a member of the Munising Bay Quilt Guild and was involved with the women’s organizations at the Sion Lutheran Church.  Gerry was treasurer of the Alger County Historical Society and was a Master Gardener.  Gerry was honored in 2005 by Alger County as Woman of the Year.

Gerry is survived by her children – Amy Baerwaldt of Oak Creek, WI and Mitch Dolata of Waterford, WI; stepchildren – Kevin (Denise) Anderson, Lynn (Bill) Zeeman, Stephanie (Patrick) Schwingle, and Amy (Bob) Posont; grandchildren – Justin (Florence Carrell) Baerwaldt, Zachary (Morgan) Schuenemann, Cody Dolata, Alicia Anderson, Haley Anderson, Tammy (Brian) Knapton, Derek Zeeman, Becky (Imran) Kurter, Sean (Lauren) Patrick, Christopher (Rachel) Patrick, Megan Posont, Jenny Posont, and Matthew Posont; and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents Reinhold and Avis Miller, brother Reinhold (Carol) Miller, and sister Noma (Fred) Herbeck.

Gerry’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church in Trenary on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Alger County Historical Society in Gerry’s name.  (1496 Washington Street, Munising, MI  49862)