Obituary: Gerald Frederick Kratochwill - Class of 1949

MADISON - Gerald Fredrick Kratochwill, age 78, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at University Hospital, surrounded by his family, due to complications from heart and kidney failure. He was born on July 22, 1929, in Patch Grove, to Albert and Ann (Wickendoll) Kratochwill. Gerald grew up in Muscoda. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1949. Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. He retired in 1992 from the city of Madison Streets East Division, as a public works foreman. Gerald was well known for attending numerous auctions. He enjoyed walking around and bidding on the items nobody wanted. It was always a surprise to see what Gerald would bring home each weekend. We would like to think he recycled Dane County through our home. Gerald also enjoyed gardening and there could never be too many tomato plants. He is survived by his wife of 45 years of marriage, Barbara (Kalbfell) Kratochwill; four children, Daniel Kratochwill of Madison, Wendy (Jeff) Diehlmann of Madison, Jerry (Kathy) Kratochwill of Madison, and Nancy (Steve) Warner of Verona; grandchildren, Daniel Jr., Derek and Drew Kratochwill, Trent Diehlmann, Bradly and Sydney Kratochwill, and Amanda and Jayme Warner; great-grandson, Kyan Kratochwill; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; and three siblings, Nordell (Vida) Kratochwill, Bertha (Thomas) Alderman, and Leona (Narvil) Lewis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at University Hospital.
Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Joural on April 6, 2008