Geraldine C. Schwanz, age 94, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 17, 2026. As her late husband Walt did seven years ago, Gerry wanted us to keep her final words short and to the point. “Gerry croaked too.” was what we were told to pass along. What a pair!

However, we'd like to share a little more about this fine lady of ours as we bid her farewell. Mom was born on April 16, 1932, to Arthur and Helen (née Pleier) John in Milwaukee, WI, where she grew up and graduated from North Division High School. She later married Walter Schwanz on September 4, 1955. When Walt joined the Waukesha Police Department five years later, they moved to the Waukesha area to raise their family of three kids.

Gerry was a practical and resourceful woman, having held various secretarial positions, including at Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee, Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church in Waukesha, and a brief stint at Carroll College in the hope that one of us might attend (we did not), as well as a few other office jobs over the years.

But mostly, she put her all into her roles as mother, wife, and homemaker. She had a knack for making ends meet and putting good home-cooked meals on the table. She and Dad were avid treasure hunters, scavenging estate sales, flea markets, rummages, and auctions for wonderful antiques and vintage collectibles for their personal enjoyment, or to restore and resell in order to acquire even more goodies. Mom appreciated quality, knew a good bargain when she saw one, and always found ways to make sure her family had what was needed, along with a little fun money and pocket change to boot. Between Dad’s knack for fixing things and Mom’s careful management of money, they kept our family well cared for.

After Walt passed away, Gerry embraced living independently, eventually moving to The Heritage, a wonderful senior living community in Appleton, to be closer to her daughter’s family — which, in hindsight, proved to be a wonderful refuge just as COVID hit! Despite any health issues over the last few years, Gerry lived a full and content life. While blood cancer may have claimed her body in the end, her determined spirit most certainly triumphed and has risen to find new treasures in Heaven.

She is survived by her younger brother, Ed (Mary) John; son, Daniel (Pam) Schwanz of Elcho, WI; and daughters, Linda (Kurt) Schmidt of Marshalltown, IA, and Laurie (Ron) Hanson of Kimberly, WI.

She also leaves behind her beloved family of grandchildren — Sam (Heather) Schmidt, Abby Schmidt (special friend Brady), Jessica (Scott) Lewis, Zachary Hanson, Carly (Brendan) Smith, and Christopher Seider — and great-grandchildren Jordyn Schmidt, Dekker and Palmer Schmidt, and Joanna Smith, as well as cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her eldest brother, Kenneth; her sister-in-law and best friend, Donna John; and her nephew, Michael John.

In keeping with her nature and preference for simplicity, Geraldine wished to have her ashes laid to rest alongside her family at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Milwaukee. A date will be determined when family and friends can gather to honor her and say their goodbyes.

We can only imagine our Mom finally won the ultimate lottery by walking through the pearly gates to find peace and rest. And, for anyone who might happen to find themselves at a slot machine, perhaps give it a little “wink and tap for good luck” in her honor.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff and friends at The Heritage Senior Community and Thedacare Hospice/Cherry Meadows for the kindness, attentiveness, and compassion provided to Mom and our family throughout her residency and care.

Please feel free to share your stories in the Guest Book. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers, but mostly for being a part of Geraldine’s earthly journey.