Obituaries

Verona - Lorena C. (Marotz) Gerbitz, age 98 of Verona, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2024. She was born on February 21, 1925, in the Town of Newton in Marquette County, Westfield, Wisconsin. Lorena married Alfred Gerbitz on October 27, 1945. They were married over 74 years. Lorena worked in a pea factory, Sunlite Manufacturing (which made raincoats for the Navy), Rayovac, and provided housework with child care. After marriage, Lorena raised three children which was a full-time job. Later Lorena worked at Three Sisters, a Dental Company, J.C. Penney, and the Wisconsin Hospital Association. She did many jobs as a seamstress, made quilts, children’s clothes, wedding gowns, formals, square dance dresses, doll clothes, men’s suits, women’s suites and dresses, and sewed for the Zor Shriners (making their keystone cops and convict outfits). Lorena did lots of crocheting making doilies, baby sweaters, potholders, and tablecloths. Lorena volunteered at the Verona Library and the Verona Senior Center. Lorena played an old pump organ, piano, accordion, and keyboard. She square danced, went fishing, served annual fish fries, and went on many trips. Lorena enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She joined St. James Lutheran Church in Verona, WI in 1993. Lorena served as Secretary/Treasurer for Ruth Circle and crocheted prayer shawls, baby sweaters, and baptismal shawls for the church.

Lorena is survived by her son, Edward (Patricia) Gerbitz, daughters Rita (Timothy) Loomis, Lois Gerbitz; grandchildren Kaci (Corey) Koltz, Laura (Brad) Przybelski, Kelly (Russ) Olmstead; six great-grandchildren, Mietta, Timothy, and Atlas Koltz and Morgan, Megan, and Matt Przybelski. She is also survived by a sister, Elaine Judas, a sister-in-law Sharen Marotz, and many nieces and nephews. Lorena was preceded in death by her husband Alfred Gerbitz, her parents Edward and Anna (Stark) Marotz, brother George Marotz, brothers and sisters-in-law Reinhold and Margarette Marotz, Alfred and Lorraine Marotz, Arden and Bernice Marotz; Leo and Helen Marotz; sister and brother-in-law Marian and David Floeter; and brothers-in-law Donn Dahlke and Norb Judas.

Visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Friday, March 1, 2024, at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S Main St., Verona, with the funeral service taking place at the church at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to St. James Church in Verona or Agrace Hospice. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625