Bert P. GEERDTS

Bert P. Geerdts, age 81, of Sussex, WI passed away with his family at his side on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc, WI.  Bert was born on November 6, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI to Bertram and Norma (Hanney) Geerdts.  He married the love of his life Patricia L. Fahl on August 4, 1962 in Milwaukee, WI.

Bert was raised by thrifty parents and grew up playing baseball with his friends and watching Milwaukee Braves games and warmups. In high school he worked hard to earn money to buy his first car, which was the first car his family had. He enjoyed cruising Wisconsin Avenue with his friends. He played baseball and basketball in high school, and his favorite classes in high school were math, history, and a mechanical drawing class. He also loved fishing, hunting with his black lab named Timber, bowling, snowmobiling, camping, and playing racquetball.

Bert's favorite day in high school was during his senior year when he met a girl named Patricia. He adored her and she was his favorite topic to brag about. Bert and Pat were later married and were blessed with over 60 years together.

Bert worked at American Motors building Nash Ramblers. He left his factory job to attend college and earned an associate degree. While finishing college he started his career in real estate and was the youngest person Robedeaux Realtors had ever hired. He worked for a few other real estate companies such as RE/MAX and Realty Executives and even formed his own real estate company with his wife Pat. Bert retired from his real estate career in 2002. 

Bert's favorite pastime was boating. He and Pat owned 18 boats over the course of Bert's life, everything from small fishing boats to a Sea Ray that was large enough to cross Lake Michigan several times and also sleep on during the summer months. Bert loved raising his kids (Dan and Corinne) and watching them grow up, and he loved seeing his five wonderful grandchildren (Trevor, Grace, Calvin, Jacob, and Brayden) come into his life and grow up too. Bert has been called a Legend in real estate, Marina Ambassador, Bertie, and his family knew him as Honey, Pop, and Grandpa.

Bert's family and friends will miss him, but we know he belongs to our Lord. We are reminded of that in Psalm 139:5, "You are all around me, behind me and in front of me. You hold me safe in your hand."

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Patricia; his children, Daniel (Jennifer) Geerdts and Corinne Merten; his 5 grandchildren, Trevor Geerdts, Grace Merten, Calvin Geerdts, Jacob Merten and Brayden Merten; other relatives and many friends.

Preceding Bert in death are his parents and his sister, Shirley Jaster.

A funeral service for Bert will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:30PM at Wisconsin Memorial Park-Family Center (13037 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI), with Rev. Andy Fix officiating.  Burial will immediately follow.  Visitation will be from 12:30PM until the time of services.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials can be directed to: www2.jdrf.org/goto/cmerten.

For those unable to attend, those wishing to share a memory or those wanting to just sign the on-line guest registry, please click the "Share a Memory" link below Bert's photo.

Thelen Funeral Services of North Prairie/Genesee is honored to be assisting the Geerdts family.  262-392-4251

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