Harold H. Gierach, 95, of Merrill, died Monday, January 20, 2014, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Harold was born May 12, 1918, in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, son of the late Paul and Hattie (Hadler) Gierach. He married Lydia Schult on September 7, 1940. She survives. After their marriage, Harold worked for the Curtis and Yale wood plant. Harold and Lydia moved up to the Merrill area to help take care of the Schult dairy farm in the Town of Scott. During the off-season, Harold and Lydia worked at the former Merrill Candy Company. They eventually sold the farm and Harold began taking classes at Northcentral Technical College, Wausau. When he was 41, Harold graduated from N.T.C. with a double major in Accounting and Marketing. After graduation, Harold became an insurance agent for Mutual Service Insurance where he served the community and his clients until retirement in 1980. Together, Harold and Lydia built a home on Cedar Street in Merrill. They included a beauty salon into the building plans and Lydia was able to run her business out of her home. Harold took care of the bookkeeping for the salon. Eventually, Harold and Lydia retired and they turned the salon into an apartment and had various renters through the years. Twelve years ago, they sold their home and moved into Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park in Merrill. One of Harold’s favorite pastimes was dancing check-to-cheek with the love of his life, Lydia. Harold will be remembered as a good-hearted generous man. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill.
Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Lydia Gierach, Merrill; one daughter, Darlene (John) Winter, of Greendale, WI; one son, Brian (Deanna) Gierach, of Combined Locks, WI; four grandchildren, Joe (Jeanne) Winter, Tom (Sandra) Winter, Justin (Beth) Gierach and Anne Gierach; four great-grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, Hannah and Michael Winter; one sister, Bernice Lampe, of Madison; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Gierach, of Orland Park, IL and Dahlia Gierach, of Orlando, FL; and many nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lucille Evans; and five brothers, Clarence, Ferdinand, Elroy, Wilmer and Werner.
The family would like to thank Harold and Lydia’s neighbors in the Whispering Pines Park for their care and concern over the last few months.
The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 27, 2014, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Nathan Kramer will officiate. Burial will take place in Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery – West, Town of Scott. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Monday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com