Gerold John Rohn, 69, died June 23, 2020. He was born “at a very young age” on May 2, 1951, in St. Francis, to the late Roland and Barbara (Luccasen) Rohn.
To say that he will be missed is an understatement. He worked at Milwaukee Forge for 30 years and Harley Davidson for 10 years after, before retirement.
After battling cancer for four years, he has finally found peace. Gary never gave up hoping for a cure and never stopped fighting.
You couldn’t find a more caring father or devoted husband than Gary. He spent his life enriching the lives of others, and was everything from a Boy Scout cub master to a baseball coach and an all around nice guy. He had a wicked sense of humor and a million bad “dad jokes.”
Gary believed in bringing the magic of Christmas to life, so every December, he donned his Santa Claus suit and brought joy (and sometimes tears) to the children of Mukwonago by playing Santa.
Most people start to slow down when they turn 50, but not Gary, he sped up! He took up acting, and performed in more than 30 plays with his wife, Bonnie. Performing on stage, especially with Bonnie at his side, were precious moments and times for him.
Gary enjoyed playing the harmonica and listening to his favorite band, The Eagles. He loved spending summer days on his pontoon boat with family and friends. For Gary, any day on the water with loved ones was a perfect day. Fishing and having a cold beverage on the boat always put a twinkle in his eye.
He was immensely proud of the “Cabin Up North,” a small house tucked up in the Northwoods. This house is where he could bring his family for a get away or bring his sons to deer camp. His life’s work was taking care of his family and that showed in the kind of father, husband, friend and neighbor he was.
He will be sorely missed, but will live on in the memories of all the lives he touched.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 47 year, Yvonne “Bonnie” (Johnson); children, Kimberly (Brent “Doug”) Reich, Joseph (Natalie), Katie Jo (Timothy) Glowacki, Jason (Mallory) VonRohn; grandson, Jayden; a future grandchild; brother, Gregory; mother-in-law, Mary Ann (Goodchild) Johnson; along with other family and friends. Included in that list are his special “therapy” dogs, Jack, Bailey and Sprocket.
He was further preceded in death by his father-in-law, George Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gary’s honor may be made to the family to be donated to various performing arts organizations.
A memorial service will be held in Gary’s honor at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Little Prairie United Methodist Church, N9502 Palmyra Road, Little Prairie. The Rev. Duane Goetsch will officiate.
For social distancing purposes, the service will be in the tent behind the church and all attendees will be required to wear a mask.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra is serving the family.
