Gary Michael Gerdes

Gary Michael Gerdes passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, surrounded by family after a brief illness. He was born November 14, 1941, to Paul and Jane Gerdes of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Paul; brother, Dale, and sister, Gail Gerdes Hagen. Survived by his brother, Brad (Cathy), and his brother-in-law, Kim Hagen. Further survived by nephews: Travis Gerdes, Scott (Christina) Hagen, and Trever Hagen; and nieces, Caitlin and Kelsey Gerdes, as well as great-nephews, Carson and Leo, and great-niece, Iris.

Gary was raised in Whitefish Bay, where he attended St. Monica’s grade school before he transferred to the Columbus Boychoir-American Boychoir in Princeton, New Jersey, for the last two years of grade school. He traveled extensively with the choir, and had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Gary returned to Milwaukee and attended St. John’s Cathedral High School, graduating in 1959. During his high school years, he became a Red Cross youth volunteer, traveling throughout the world in support of the organization. Upon graduation, he attended Marquette University before entering his religious studies at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. He completed his religious studies at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1968. Gary was ordained in May 1968 and celebrated his first mass at his home parish, St. Monica’s in Whitefish Bay. He went on to complete three Masters degrees from the University of Notre Dame. As a Dominican, he was part of the evangelical team, traveling extensively throughout the United States and abroad.

In the early 1980’s, he left the priesthood and entered the private sector where he taught at the University of California-Berkeley. After Berkeley, he pursued a career as a systems analyst at World Bank in San Francisco where he remained until a tragic car accident left him disabled in 1997. He remained active in the San Francisco community for many years and enjoyed all that the city had to offer. Gary was a long time season ticket holder for the opera, theater, and ballet and enjoyed many Broadway theater performances for many years, even after his accident. He was a member of “The Vocal Minority” for several years, performing throughout the area. He enjoyed traveling and visiting with his many friends, visiting art galleries, listening to his extensive and diverse music collection, and reading a good book.

Gary returned to Milwaukee in 2017 to be closer to family. He enjoyed living on the east-side of Milwaukee where he made many new friends. Gary moved to Rocky Knoll Health Care Center in Plymouth, Wisconsin, in recent months due to health challenges. He was provided with incredibly kind and compassionate care from the entire team during his stay there. The family is grateful for the exceptional care provided to Gary from Dr. Lunde, the Rocky Knoll staff, and the staffs at Aurora-Sheboygan and Aurora-Grafton during his final days. 

A private service and internment will be held at a later date.