Gerald “Jerry” J. Tasch, 81 of Lake Geneva, died Thursday Dec. 27, 2012, at Lakeland Health Care Center in Elkhorn surrounded by his children. He was born March 6, 1931 in Chicago. He was the son of the late John L. and Anne (Smith) Tasch.
He served in the US Army with a tour of duty in Austria during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Finan on Aug. 2, 1952 in Chicago. She died May 27, 2000. He was a successful advertising executive and owner of Tasch Automotive Group. He began his career with the Chicago Tribune and subsequently worked at several advertising agencies in Chicago, ending up as a Senior Vice President and Director of Automotive Accounts at Eisaman Johns and Laws. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a car dealership in 1978 when he purchased the local Chevrolet and Buick dealership in Elkhorn and later expanded it to include the local Chrysler dealership and Tasch BP service station.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Elkhorn and a former member of the Elkhorn Kiwanis Club and Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President. He enjoyed golf, fishing and playing music. He was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather.
He is survived by his six children, John (Victoria) of Hartland, Thomas and Michael (Pamela) both of Lake Geneva, Jeanne (William) Hehr of Stoughton, Gerald of Lake Geneva, and James of Baltimore, Md.; two granddaughters, Sarah and Jennifer Tasch; a brother, Thomas Tasch of Maribel; two sister-in-laws, Patricia Tasch of Dousman, and Joyce Tasch of River Forest, Ill.; and by a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Evelyn; two brothers, John and Alquin; and his sister, Frances Werdell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 107 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, with Father Jim Schureman officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Elkhorn. Visitation will be held Monday from 9-11 a.m. at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home, 730 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn.
Memorials may be made in his name to Lakeland Health Care Center, 1922 County Road NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121 or Alzheimer’s Treatment and Research Center, 640 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.
Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home is assisting the family. An online guest registry is available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
