August Gerke

August Oliver Gerke

6/16/82-3/20/22

Augie wouldn’t want a traditional obituary, in fact, I know he wouldn’t want one at all, unless it was written by someone who truly knew him and would be able to talk about him openly, freely, and without reservation. That is the kind of person Augie was; he didn’t mince words and told it exactly like it was. And so, as his older sister, I am honored to write this obituary for my little brother.

August Oliver Gerke was born on June 16th, 1982 and grew up in Verona, Wisconsin. The second child of Nancy and Randy Gerke. He was the self-proclaimed “favorite child” although this was an argument the two of us would have many times throughout our life.

Augie wasn’t much of a fan of “school” but loved sports. He was a natural athlete and excelled at anything involving balls. Kidding aside, he really loved sports and spent a lot of his childhood on the wrestling mat as part of the Verona Youth Wrestling Program.

Growing up, Augie and I spent a lot of time biking around the neighborhood and making up games in our basement and backyard, and by the time our childhood was over, I lost count of all of the items we broke as the dynamic Gerke duo. His lifelong best friend Justin Larson was always in tow and was a willing accomplice in many of our childhood antics. Augie lost one of his front teeth during a heated game of kickball in our backyard and was hit by a car on my watch while we were crossing a busy street in Verona. It’s a miracle he made it through childhood with me as his big sister. Despite all of this, there was never a shortage of fun, drinking too much soda, belching, calling our mom at work to tattle on one another, watching The Golden Girls, playing Nintendo and sneaking out onto our roof when we were both grounded. Even though Augie drove me crazy sometimes, he truly was a pal and a confidant.

Augie graduated from Verona High School in 2001 and came close to qualifying for state in wrestling, something he was always very proud of. He was incredibly fond of his high school wrestling coach Bob Wozniak and as an adult continued to want to give back to the wrestling program. Augie also loved playing football for the Verona Wildcats.

Augie got his first job at age of fourteen at the Cozee Inn in Verona. Even after starting a full-time position at Newcomb Construction, he continued part-time at Cozee for over sixteen years because he loved the owners. Augie viewed Barb and Gary as a second set of parents and would have done anything for them. He started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to the “shrimp de-crapper”. Augie’s favorite catch line from his time in the restaurant business was “ding fries are done!” Augie had dreams to one day attend culinary school and I wish he could have fulfilled that dream. He would have made an incredible chef. Augie also worked at the Duluth Trading Company in Belleville and Ellis Manufacturing in Verona.

Bruce Meier was an influential mentor to Augie and loved him unconditionally. Bruce worked with Augie at both Newcomb Construction and Bachmann Construction. When you talk to anyone about Augie’s work ethic, the overwhelming consensus was that he worked harder than anyone they knew.

More than anything, Augie loved his dog, Sugar. Girlfriends often joked that Augie loved Sugar more than them. Augie had a tattoo honoring his favorite girl and was devastated when she passed away in August of 2021. Another one of Augie’s loves as an adult was bowling. Augie was in many bowling leagues and loved attending state bowling competitions. Augie also loved playing fastpitch softball with my dad and cheering on the University of Michigan.

When we remember Augie, it is important to acknowledge our mom, Nancy. She stuck by him through thick and thin, helped take care of his dog Sugar, and loved him with her whole heart. She would have done anything for him and made sure Augie always knew he was loved.

Augie was the kind of person that once you got to know him, you would never forget him. To know Augie, was to love him. Augie was a non-stop prankster and always knew the right thing to say or do to make you laugh. Augie’s one liners were the best, and when people remember him, they smile thinking about what a great guy he was and how funny he was. He was incredibly loyal and would have done anything for those he loved.

Augie was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Gotthold and Marion Gerke. Augie idolized his grandparents and often visited their graves when he felt sad. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Donald Olday and his beloved dog Sugar.

Augie leaves behind his parents, Nancy and Randy Gerke, sister, Brenna (Gerke) Siebold, brother-in-law Joel Siebold, nieces and nephews, Jocelyn, Jonah, Leo, Hazelle and Hank Siebold, and maternal grandmother, Janice Olday.

There are so many things I will miss about my brother. His infectious laugh, inappropriate t-shirts, love of ketchup, the way he drank milk right from the carton, his use of the phrase “f&%k that” and his love of wearing the red speedo and the Borat sling to name a few. And most of all, I will miss my yearly text to let me know that the McRib is back. Love you long, long, time, AOG Dog. Until we meet again, give Sugar, grandpa and grandma, and Neen a big kiss and hug from me. I hope you knew how much we all loved you and not a day will go by when we won’t think of you.

“Yeah, a picture's worth a thousand words

But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered. You should've seen it in color.”

-In Color, Jamey Johnson (Augie’s favorite song)

A celebration of life is planned for the afternoon of July 16th, 2022 at the Blue Mounds VFW, 2787 Erbe Rd, Blue Mounds, WI 53517. More details to come.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Nancy or Randy Gerke at 685 Matts Drive, Verona, WI 53593 and will be donated to the Verona Youth Wrestling Program in Augie’s name.