Gerald J "Gary" Biesterveld
Gerald J. “Gary” Biesterveld, age 66 of Rock Falls, died peacefully Friday, September 3, 2010 at the Wissota Health Care Center in Chippewa Falls.
Gary was born on August 24, 1944 in Rock Falls on the home farm. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Bauer) Biesterveld. Gary attended Cranberry Creek Elementary School and graduated from Holy Rosary High School in Lima in 1962. After school, Gary farmed on the home farm all of his life, until he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008.
Gary started the St. Joseph’s Corn Feed with Fr. Thomas Langer in 1972. He donated the sweet corn from his fields for many years. In later years, he studied for and received his C N A license and enjoyed working as a C N A at the American Lutheran Home in Mondovi. Most of all, Gary enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his four grandsons.
Gary is survived by his children, Laura Biesterveld of Milwaukee, Adam (Paula) of Rock Falls and Emily (Barry) Cook of Menomonie, four grandsons, Eli, Evan, Garrett and Grant, five sisters, Irma (Donald) Bauer of Durand, Wilma Wittig of Eau Claire, Patricia Ulwelling of Durand, Judith (Tom) Fagerland of Mondovi and Audrey Martin of Eau Galle, four brothers, William Jr. (Rita) and Robert (Pat), both of Rock Falls, Douglas (Kathy) of Bloomer and Roger (Julie) of Tilden, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Anthony Wittig and Joseph Ulwelling.