Geraldine Marie Kirkman

Geraldine Marie Kirkman, 90, formerly of Peru, Illinois, passed away June 6, 2023 in Mukwonago,WI where she has lived near her oldest son, William, for the past five years.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 AM July 10, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Church in Peru, Illinois with Rev. J.A.  Small officiating. Burial will be Valley Memorial Park in Spring Valley. Visitation will be in church on Monday from 9:30 AM until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home is entrusted with her arrangements. The funeral mass will be live streamed via the Hurst Funeral Home Facebook page.

Gerri was born in Peru, Illinois on February 9, 1933 to Ladislaus and Florence (Sment) Krolak. She graduated from St. Valentine Elementary School and then to LP High School. Gerri married her high school sweetheart, William E. Kirkman at St. Valentine’s Church on November 22, 1951.  They built their home with the help of her father and her brothers on Sunset Drive and the lived there for 65 years until the passing of her husband.

After having her family, Gerri returned to school at IVCC and received her associate degree in accounting. She went to work at Walter Duncan Oil in LaSalle as an Accountant. After the Founder, Walter Duncan, passed she then worked at Brennan and Stuart Insurance until her retirement.

Gerri was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peru. Shen enjoyed dancing evenings at the Paramount Club and outings with the Red Hatters Social Club and watching the Cubs. They enjoyed helping to house the young players of the Central States baseball tournament and then rooting them the boys on.

She was very musically talented, playing three different instruments in the band and encouraged the love of music in her children. Whenever possible she pursued extensive travel throughout the U.S. and including Europe. But mostly she loved walking her beloved dog Willie.

She survived by two brothers Roger (Judy) Krolak of Centerville OH and Donald (Mary) Krolak of Eagle Point OR.  Sister-in-law Jean Krolak of Indianapolis IN. Her four children Willam (Kathy) Kirkman of Mukwonago, WI, Lauren (David) Poppie of Taylors SC, Kenneth (Lynne) Kirkman of Gilbert AZ, and Dennis Kirkman of Higganum CT. Five grandchildren John, Kristen, Douglas, Nicholas, Rachel, and 3 great grandchilden Johnny, Sienna, and Claire.

Preceded in passing was William (Bill) Kirkman, the love of her life of 62 years, her parents, step mother Ann Krolak (Guziec) and a brother Ronald Krolak.

In lieu of flowers she asked the preferred form of remembrance to be a donation to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry, 122 Wright St. LaSalle, Illinois 61301.

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