Pearl Marie Gerue

Pearl graduated from Escanaba High School and went to work as a secretary and waitress in the Escanaba area. Pearl and her best friend Dorothy Denoo moved to Chicago, Illinois for secretarial work, lived together and remained friends up until Dorothy’s death last year. During their time together later in life, they loved to go to Players de Noc plays, concerts at the schools and end all of the outings at Drifters restaurant. Pearl worked several jobs over the years, but one of her favorites was being an aide on the special needs children’s bus that her husband Bill drove. They developed a deep love for all of the children on the bus.

Pearl starting dating her future husband, Joseph William Gerue, right after World War II ended. They planned to get married at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba. Unfortunately, shortly before their wedding, it burned down. As was their way their entire lives, Pearl and Bill took the hardship in stride and were married on August 2, 1947 at St. Joseph Church in Escanaba. They made their first home and all future homes in Escanaba.

Pearl and Bill loved to square dance and did so with many other couples in a chicken coop owned by a friend. They also bowled in the mixed couples league on Friday nights at the Bowl-a-Rama. Pearl, Bill and their children spent many summer nights camping at River’s Bend Campground in the Iron Mountain area with cousins Judy and Dave Lindblom and their family. Later, their daughter Mary and her family joined them as well – both having permanent sites at the campground which made it easier to come and go as they wanted.

Pearl was a charter member of the Bishop Baraga Women’s Circle comprised of several Northtown women belonging to St. Thomas Church. These women met almost monthly for over 50 years as they raised their children becoming good friends and confidants. They also all belonged to the St. Thomas Church Guild and would be available when ever asked to contribute food or service to any parish member in need. Pearl also served on the St. Thomas Church Council and other assorted committees over the years. She loved St. Thomas Church and its parishioners dearly and her final request was to have her funeral mass there.

Pearl moved to Chetek, Wisconsin over 10 years ago to live with her daughter Patti and her husband Brad. She enjoyed living on the Red Cedar River there, going for long drives and adventures but most of all enjoyed all of their cats and their dog, Tippy. Unfortunately, Pearl fell and fractured some bones requiring rehab care. She spent time at both Heritage Manor in the beginning and then Dove Healthcare. Pearl was admitted to Dove Healthcare when it first opened in 2015. When it was time to go back home to live with Patti and Brad, she declared that it was too boring during the day at their house and would prefer to stay at the nursing home. Besides, she said, “they have several handsome men there”! Pearl quickly became the life of the party to the point that she was requested at every event and outing they had and happily went to them all. As her dementia progressed, she lost her filter and the things that she said created many laughs and stories by all who cared for, knew and loved her.

Pearl and Bill had three children. Kenneth Joseph was born in 1948, Mary Kay was born in 1954 and Patti Elizabeth was born in 1963. Ken was born with Spina Bifida which required extensive surgeries and medical care. They found access to that at the Shriner’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. They were so grateful to that organization for the free high-quality care that Ken received over the first 10 years of his life.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband Bill, son Ken, son-in-law Wally, 10 sisters/brothers and many dear friends/neighbors. She is survived by her daughter Mary Kay Ault Cole, Patti Elizabeth (Brad) Reinagle, three grandsons, Jesse, Jordan (Kristie) and Lucas Ault, three great-grandsons, Aiden, Wyatt and Jackson Ault, one sister, Henrietta Liedke and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 30 at 11 a.m. EST at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1820 9th Ave N, Escanaba, MI 49829. A luncheon hosted by the ladies of the parish will be held directly after the service which will also serve as a time to share memories of Pearl with her family. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in the Spring of 2025.

The Allo Coolman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to her family.