Geraldine D. Gentile

HURLEY, Wis. - Geraldine D. Gentile, 84, of Hurley, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020.

Geraldine was born Dec. 18, 1935, in Ironwood, Michigan, daughter of John "Jack" and Stella (Magdziak) Pawlak of Ironwood. She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1953.

On Sept. 15, 1956, she was united in marriage to John B. Gentile at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ironwood. John served as Iron County Sheriff for five terms; and for much of that time, their family resided in the jail's living quarters where Geraldine cooked for the inmates.

Geraldine was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley and was a member of the Hurley Lionette's. She enjoyed spending time with friends and classmates, gathering often for coffee and good laughs.

One of her favorite roles was being "Grandma G." She loved attending her granddaughters' activities, such as sporting events and band concerts. She always enjoyed hosting and cooking for her family during the holidays. She was a wonderful cook, rarely using a recipe, and always delivering the most delicious meals.

She often enjoyed traveling out west to the mountains for the breathtaking views and also traveled to southern Wisconsin and Chicago to experience the arts.

She took pride in caring for her home, keeping her lawn impeccably mowed. She enjoyed staying active, walking three miles a day late into her 70s.

Geraldine was loved by all who knew her and was kind to everyone she met. She maintained many longtime friendships and was always the first to call on their birthday or stop to visit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Stella Pawlak; husband, John, on July 24, 1991; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dora Gentile, Angelo "Ungie" and Esther (Gentile) Schiavetti, Anthony Gentile, Domenic Gentile, Eugene Gentile, Louis Paoli, and Robert and Edda (Gentile) Olson.

Geraldine is survived by two daughters, Debra Gentile of Grafton and Lori (Gerry) Pelissero of Bessemer, Michigan; two granddaughters, Taylor Pelissero and Caitlyn Pelissero; sister, Sandra (Richard) Lantta of Waukesha; nephew, Rodney Lantta of Waukesha; niece, Karrie (Eric) Obarski of Muskego with their daughters, Jena, Alexandra, and Samantha; sisters-in-law, Mary (Gentile) Paoli, Peggy Gentile, and Sigrid Chambers; as well as her special friends, Bunny and Wayne Beckman and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. 

Rite of Committal and interment will follow the Mass at St. Mary's Cemetery in Hurley.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Geraldine's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.