Gerald R. Mathias
Gerald R. Mathias, 87 of Wabasha, MN, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Gundersen St. Elizabeth Health Care Center, Wabasha.
Gerald Robert was born January 9, 1937, in Wabasha to Margaret Koelmel and Louis Mathias. He graduated from Wabasha High School in 1955. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era and was honorably discharged. He was a past commander of the Wabasha American Legion.
On October 12, 1957, he married Ruth Ann Sommers at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wabasha. Together they raised four children: Julie, Shelly, John and Robert. He was formerly employed at Big Jo Flour, Wabasha and retired from Dairyland Power, Alma, WI in 1993 after 26 years. He also served on the Wabasha School Board and the church council.
He and Ruth loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona. They enjoyed visiting casinos, spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was known to pay his grandchildren for A’s and B’s on their report cards and was an expert at hiding the Easter baskets for Easter Sunday.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann; children: Julie Smith, Shelly (David) Roberts; John Mathias; and Rob (Val) Mathias; five grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister Bea Gessner; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: LaVerne, Orville, Daryl, Walter, Richard, and Joseph Mathias; sisters: Loretta Schones, Eleanor Schnoor, Lorraine Mathias; a grandson Brandon Jacob Mathias; and son-in-law Thomas Smith.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Abbott Funeral Home, Wabasha, with Pastor David Knox officiating. Interment will be a Riverview Cemetery, Wabasha with military rites provided by Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 17 at Abbott Funeral Home, Wabasha and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com
