Lillian C. Gerrits, Hollandtown, age 85, died Sunday, February 7, 2016 at St. Paul Home, from Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. She was born in the Town of Vanden Broek on February 6, 1931 to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Diedrich) Hendricks. Lillian married Leo Gerrits on October 1, 1953 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. She was a devoted wife, and together they raised seven children.

In her younger years, she worked at Zwicker's Knitting Mill. She belonged to the Tri-County Homemakers, her card club, and bowling league. Lillian was a 4-H leader and volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul (aka Vinnie's Boutique). She was very active in the Hollandtown community and was a member of St. Francis Parish (later, St. Katharine Drexel Parish) and volunteered in the St. Francis School library.

Lilllian loved Christmas and loved to share her Christmas cookies, Leo's favorites being chocolate chip and molasses cookies. She collected Precious Moments figurines and Beanie Babies. Lillian took great pride in raising her family and loved gathering with her family and friends. She adored her grandchildren.

Lillian is survived by her husband of 62 years, Leo, the love of her life; children: Joan (Ed) Van Dehy of Kaukauna; Jan (Ken) Donnermeyer of Kaukauna, Jeff (Julie) of Kaukauna, Joel (Deb) of Madison, Jack of Kaukauna, Jenny (Jim) Lamers of Kaukauna, and Jill (Bert) Frank of Chilton; grandchildren: Spencer (Vicky) Van Dehy; Shaun (Hilarie) Van Dehy; Samantha (Connor) Uitenbroek; Ashley Donnermeyer; Brian and Emily Gerrits; Jonah and Josh Gerrits; Eli, Emma and Ella Lamers and Alyssa, Addison and Afton Frank; great grandchildren: Grace and Meredith Van Dehy, Arianna and Blake Gerrits; sister: Marion Nelessen; and sisters- and brothers-in-law: Eunice (Alfred) Schmidt, Mary (Le Roy) Van Asten and Mary Gerrits. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Lillian was preceded in death by her grandsons, Jesse Donnermeyer and Ted Gerrits; siblings: Ceil (Pete Van Zeeland, Len Van De Hey) Van De Hey, Agnes (Clarence) Schreiber, Ethel (Hilary) Feldkamp, Dorothy (Mark) Kerkoff, Magdeline (Melvin) Arts and John Hendricks; father and mother-in-law: Joseph and Agnes Gerrits; and sister- and brothers-in-law: Delores (Frank) Kerkoff, Robert Nelessen and Harold Gerrits.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. FRANCIS CHURCH (433 County Rd. CE, Hollandtown) beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Willard Vande Loo will officiate and the Rev. Jerome Pastors will concelebrate. Committal St. Francis Cemetery. A memorial is being established.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at St. Paul Home, especially those on Apple Tree and Poppy Path, and members of St. Paul Hospice. Also, thank you to Dr. Andrea Schimke for the kind care Lillian received.