Dennis W. Gerhartz

Dennis William Gerhartz was called home on Monday, January 2, 2023, at the age of 71. Dennis passed away peacefully with his children and other loved ones by his side after a sudden illness. Dennis was born into a big family in October of 1951, in Brothertown, Wisconsin. Dennis was the 13th out of 16 children of his mother Theresa and father Walter. He was born at home on the family farm located in Charlesburg, Wisconsin. The family left the farm and moved to West Allis in 1956 where he attended Nathan Hale High School, graduating in 1969. Dennis was the distribution manager for the area Carriage House/Ethan Allen furniture stores for 33 years where he worked with his brother Wayne. Dennis also worked for some time at Arrow Companies in Elkhorn, WI, in warehouse management. Dennis had a very witty personality and loved to joke around. He had many hobbies and enjoyed collecting various items, notably cookie jars and bells. He was enjoying retirement by keeping active around the house, playing golf, and keeping up with current events – something he was especially passionate about. His children and granddaughter meant the world to him, and he would do anything for them. He was the kids’ biggest cheerleader; carting all four of them to sports practices, games, tournaments, being their assistant coach many times, and always rooting for them. As they’ve grown, he’s been a supportive and reliable figure, ready to drop anything at a moment’s notice to help them out. His time with his granddaughter was also very special to him, spending many weekends playing with her at the house. He loved getting together with his family for Christmas parties, the annual family picnic, and monthly sheepshead games. Dennis was an exceptional pool player who shot pool leagues for over 50 years on various teams with many of his brothers and friends taking home first place trophies most of the time. He also was the pitcher for many years on various local softball teams with his brothers and friends. Over the last 15 years he became an avid golfer with a very love-hate relationship of the game. He was a member at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend where he enjoyed playing leagues with his golf “buddies,” who were very dear to him. Dennis was a sportsman who loved to fish and bird hunt with the many English Springer Spaniels he owned over the years. Like most Wisconsinites, he enjoyed watching and supporting the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and the Bucks. We have all lost a caring husband, loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a good friend to many. He is survived by his wife Denise; four children: Nicholas, Gabrielle Ellis (Tony), Angelene, and Zachary (Aza); and his beloved granddaughter Felicity; brothers: Walter, Frank (Sue), Robert, and Wayne (Jean); Sisters: Marie Hull, Ethel Malan (Lenny), and Sandra Meier, and many, many other nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Theresa (nee Mielke) Gerhartz; brothers: Donald, Lyle, Eugene, Kenneth, and James; sisters: Virginia, Dorothy, Theresa, other relatives, and close friends. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate it if you would share your favorite memory of Dennis by contributing a note, memory, story, and/or photos at https://www.newlywords.com/in-memory-of-dennis-w-gerhartz. The family will capture all the contributions into a memory book that they will print and have as a lasting keepsake of Dennis. Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, 2023 at Rozga Funeral & Cremation Services – Lincoln Village Chapel (703 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee 53215) from 9:00 - 10:40 AM with a Closing Prayer and Eulogy at 10:40 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated at 11:00 AM at the BASILICA OF ST. JOSAPHAT (601 W. Lincoln Ave.). Committal Service with Interment at Highland Memorial Park at 12:30 PM (Please meet at Cemetery Entrance).