Gerald V. Varsoke
Sunday, November 14, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Age:
74 years old
Sunday, November 14, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Age:
74 years old
Sunday, November 14, 1937
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Age:
74 years old
Gerald V. Varsoke
Gerald V. Varsoke, 74, of Rochester, Minnesota died Thursday December 29, 2011 at Samaritan Bethany Heights nursing home where he had been a resident since Friday December 23, 2011.
Gerald was born November 14, 1937, in Amsterdam, NY, the son of William and Sophy (Karpaitis) Varsoke. Following his graduation from Saint Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y in 1959, he served for 2 l/2 years as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps. On December 26, 1987, he married his wife, Jeannie Verant, and they made their home in Rochester, Minnesota. He worked for Gulf Oil and then later enjoyed a long career with IBM working in software development. He retired from IBM in 1995, but continued to work there until August 2008. He enjoyed watching sports, fishing, gardening, traveling, dancing, cooking, trading e-mails with his former IBM co-workers, and most of all being with his family and friends. In recent years due to his progressive struggles with M.S., he enjoyed quiet days and evenings along with his beloved wife, Jeannie.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jeannie; two sons, Christopher Varsoke of Rochester, Mn, Brian Varsoke (Michelle) of Cambridge, Mn; five daughters, Michelle (Steve) Berres and Sharon Varsoke, both of Rochester, Mn, Wendi Schirvar of Stillwater, Mn, Jennifer (Tim) Jacobson of Brandon, SD, and Bridgette (Brian) Behling of Washington, D.C.; four step-daughters, Nicole (Travis) Stewart of East Bethel, Mn, Gina (Kurt) Eberspacher of Blaine, Mn, Cristina (Chad) McNallan of West Concord, Mn, and Jaclyn Schellenberg of Olympia, WA ; 14 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Memorial Mass for Gerald will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, at Pax Christi Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Fogal officiating. Visitation will be held for an hour prior to the mass starting at 10:00 a.m. at Pax Christi Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all the Samaritan Bethany Heights Staff for their expression of kindness towards Gerry.
Condolences
The family of Gerald V. Varsoke has received the following condolences.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with you
Jeannie, I was very sorry to see the obituary for Gerry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dad- its been a week - I miss you - and want you to know how very much I loved you and all you did for us....you were the best ! We were blessed to have you in our lives.....we know you watch over us now !! You were loved by many ! Jeaannie is a precious lady to us and we will watch over her as well just as you did !! Much love to you always - Sharon Trevor and Brianna.
Michelle, Steve and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you at the passing of your Dear Father!
Keep your memories close to your hearts and know that I care.
Be good to yourselves.
Always,
Gaylene Ryan
Jeannie and family - you have my sincere heartfelt sympathy. Jerry was a wonderful man and husband. I know he will be greatly missed by all of you. Find strength in his memory as you go through these difficult days ahead. Peace.
My condolences to your family.
Your Fathers' suffering is over and he is now in a better place.
Sincerely,
Pat Bartholomew
Sharon and Family, Sorry to hear of your father passing over the holidays. Take pleasure in all the memories and pictures. God Bless!
Hi Jeannie .. so sorry to hear about Gerry’s passing. Gerry was a wonderful person; you and Gerry had a relationship we always admired from the very beginning 25+ years ago. Hope all the good memories bring some comfort in these very difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marcela Adan and Don Morrison
I have so many wonderful childhood memories of our families together so very long ago, and those would not have been possible had our fathers not been so much alike and friends. Hold tight to those memories for comfort, lean on your friends and family for strength, and always remember how much you all are cared about. The world is a better place because you dad was a part of it, and we all are benefiting from his friendship and love. I wish I could be there to give each of you a hug, but maybe one day I will see you all again. Take care.
Sharon, Michelle and Steve Berres,
So sorry about the loss of your father and father-in-law. May all the fond memories of your Dad help you through this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Janet Gunderson
Chris and family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Wendi,
Our deep sympathy on the passing of your dad. Peace be to his memory
among all of you who knew and loved him.
Rick and Sherri Broderius
So sorry to hear of the death of your father. Your are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon & family- sorry to hear about your loss. We didn't know your father Sharon, but knowing you we can tell you had a wonderful dad. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family- enjoy all the wonderful memories. Love- The Gudmundson's (Goody, Shelly, Haley & Paige)
Sharon & family- sorry to hear about your loss. We didn't know your father Sharon, but knowing you we can tell you had a wonderful dad. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family- enjoy all the wonderful memories. Love- The Gudmundson's (Goody, Shelly, Haley & Paige)
I am sorry to hear about Gerry. I worked with him several times at IBM and always enjoyed it. He was a great guy. Al
Hi Jeannie .. so sorry to hear about Gerry. It's always so sad when a loved one leaves and I wish you well. Time goes by so fast since we worked together at IBM. Take care ...
Sharon and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Kate Canney Tarvestad
Jeannie ~ Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Gerry is a wonderful man and is with our Lord now in peace. He will be with you always in your heart and all you do. I pray the Lord give you strength and peace. Take care of yourself!! Love you! Roxann & Tim Swanson
I'm so sorry for your loss, Jeannie. My thoughts are with you.
Varsoke family, we are so sad about the sudden loss of a father, father in law, grandpa. Know our hearts and prayers are with you as you navigate this next phase of your life. We are praying for the whole "lot" of Varsoke's as they pull together during this time. Take care...love you, Rob, Lori, Olivia and Ian
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing my prayers are with you and family. May God give you the comfort that only HE can give.
Varsoke Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time. May God comfort you all with His peace and love.
Jeannie and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of Gerry. We know he will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave and Char
Varsoke Family,
We are so sorry about your sudden loss. Please know that we are praying for God's strength to cover all of you at this difficult time. With love, care and sympathy,
Kent, Michelle, Katie, Trent and Blake Viesselman Cambridge, MN
We are so very sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with your families. Our deepest sympaties go out to you.
Peace,
Tom and Michele Schoenecker
Cambridge, MN
Jeannie and family of Gerry, We send our sympathy and love to you all at this time. We all know well that the days ahead will have tears in missing him but also know it was God's plan and he is now happy with our angels who went before him. It is comforting that he is in good care with no pain. We will be thinking of you all and will be talking to Chris in the next days. Take care of each other. Love...Grandma Rose, Jerry n Ann, Roxanne n Jim, Brenda n Kevin, Todd n Julie, Robin n Brad and all our kids.
Jeannie, my prayers and thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Very hard to lose a love at any time, but the holidays seem make it especially hard. Hope you remember me from our days in E&TS at IBM during 2007, in the ITAR area of bldg 040-3 and that awful database (Rational .... something or other) you spent so much time updating for the Project Managers. My the Lord grant you his peace and comfort. Take care, one day and one step at a time.
My prayers are with Chris and his family at this time of deep sadness. Take care. Deb