Joan Gerhards

Joan Gerhards

July 28, 1936 - April 27, 2026

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Obituary

With deep love and gratitude, we announce that Joan Marie Gerhards, 89, was welcomed home to God on Monday, April 27, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on July 28, 1936, Joan lived a life rooted in faith, kindness, and service to others. Her unwavering trust in God guided her through every season of life.

Joan was a devoted wife to her late husband, Charles, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. She was a loving mother to Daniel, James, Matthew, Teresa, and Richard; a cherished grandmother and great‑grandmother to twenty. Her family was the joy of her heart.

She passed peacefully at home, in her bed, surrounded by a family she nurtured throughout her life. Joan’s days were filled with raising her family, teaching sewing at MATC, participating in and supporting her local church and offering spiritual guidance with 39 years as an affiliate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Her gentle presence and generous spirit touched countless lives.

Joan now joins her beloved Charles in eternal peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, St. Andrew Catholic Church, 301 N Main Street, Verona, WI. The visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow the service at church, where friends are welcome to start eating while Joan is privately laid to rest in a beautiful and peaceful resting place.


To view the obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625

Events

12
Visitation
Tue May 12, 2026 @ 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
St. Andrew Catholic Church • 301 N Main St, Verona, WI 53593
Get Directions
12
Mass of Christian Burial
Tue May 12, 2026 @ 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT
St. Andrew Catholic Church • 301 N Main St, Verona, WI 53593
Get Directions
12
Luncheon
Tue May 12, 2026 @ 12:30 PM CDT
St. Andrew Catholic Church • 301 N Main St, Verona, WI 53593
Get Directions

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Memories

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RT
Rev. Dave Timmerman
Friend •
Joan Gerhard was my spiritual director and friend. She and I went to the Holy Land and Rome in 2008. she wrote me countless cards and letters to encourage me in hard times. I love her and will never forget her
RT
Rev. Dave Timmerman
Friend •
Joan was a dear friend and my spiritual director. We went to the Holy Land and Rome on pilgrimage in 2008. She was an author of many letters and cards that gave me hope in dark times. I will always love her and her faithfulness. 2008. She was an author of many letters and cards and shard much spiritual wisdom.I will always love her and what she brought to my life.. She was an author of many cards and letters that gave me hopein dark times. 2008. She was one of the holiest people
JW
Jeanne Wells
Friend •
Joan, you taught me so much and you had so much wisdom; I knew I could always talk to you… we spoke the same language. I remember us getting lost in the dark on the way home from St. Rose convent. We giggled after the fact, but what a pain! We prayed the Rosary in the car which helped settle us down. Then you moved only a few blocks away from me and I am so grateful for our last visit together. We spent some real, honest quality time together. Praise God. You’re with Jesus- you lucky duck 😉! Your quiet example spoke so much louder than any words and I will miss you so much. I’ve already been talking to you! I love you Joan, and so does the whole Wells family. We will miss you dearly. Love, Jeanne 🙏
JW
Jeanne Wells
Friend •
My dear Joan, I am so happy that you are now out of pain and with our eternal King! You were my friend, mentor, spiritual director and when I had my conversion in the summer of 2012, you were right there to usher me into the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration as an affiliate. Yo
CA
Carol Anacker
Friend •
Joan was filled with love, joy, goodness. She lifted us up with prayer and spiritual discussions. She had the ability to meet us in our faith journey wherever we were. She loved singing the Franciscan blessing song to us, and I can still hear that song in my mind. I thank God that I was blessed to meet her and my life is much better for knowing her. She gave the gift of caring about where I was in my faith journey. Carol A.
CS
Carol Statz
Friend •
Joan was a shining example of love. She loved God and served Him with faithful dedication. She loved her family and each family member was deeply cherished. She loved life and carried the burden of her failing body with grace. She loved and appreciated every person whose path crossed hers. She was delightful, positive and had a great sense of humor, Her laugh was contagious and her smile was radiant. I had the privilege of an experience in an elevator in Rome with her when we were laughing so hysterically that we had to hold onto the railing in the elevator to stay standing. Every time we got together the elevator story came up. No doubt, there are many people who have had their own special moments with her. She left her mark in the world and she will be missed.

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