Geraldine "Gerry" Nottleson

Geraldine “Gerry” Nottleson passed away on Saturday March 1, 2025. She was born to Oscar and Alice Nelson Mosby on April 20, 1937 in Mason City, Iowa. She spent her childhood years in Northwood, Iowa where the family lived with her maternal grandmother. Her high school years were consumed with participation in both vocal and instrumental music along with working in the local movie theater. She enrolled in Luther College, Decorah, Iowa where her wonderful singing voice enabled her to be part of Luther’s famed Nordic Choir for all 4 years. She graduated in May 1959 with a degree in Elementary Education.

The lasting impact of her time at Luther was she met, and subsequently married, her life-long soul mate Neal. They were married shortly after graduation (July 18, 1959) and lived happily ever after for the ensuing 65 years. After the wedding, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Gerry taught second grade at a Madison elementary school. The following year they moved to Racine, Wisconsin where Neal spent his next 39 years working for S C Johnson & Son, Inc.

Her settling into life in Racine was moving along smoothly until one day in November 1962 Neal appeared, unexpectedly, for lunch to inform Gerry he’d been asked to move to England for about a two-year assignment, something that would begin in a couple of weeks… and so they did. It was a challenging transition for Gerry as, along with having two-year-old and two-month-old daughters to tend to in a foreign country, she had to adapt to no central heating plus being separated from family and friends. Their youngest (2 years old) daughter died while they were in England, a particularly heartbreaking experience to bear...and bear it she did in a way only she could do. In due course all those challenges became history and the following 2 ½ years were full of wonderful life changing experiences.

Upon returning to Racine, she was very active in her church and her wonderful vocal talent was put to good use there, as well in a more challenging local community chorus. She was a charter member of the Choral Arts Society chorus. For a number of years, she helped out in the local elementary school. She became an expert needle worker, producing a stream of beautiful wall art for home and family. Thanks to Neal’s S C Johnson roles they were fortunate to participate in many special events, both in the US and around the world. She and Neal relished their Door County condo time for 30 years, hosting family and friends. They enjoyed concerts and the theater and dinners with a few close friends, and she loved to read. Her family, always her top priority, was near enough to enable an increasingly memorable series of meaningful family gatherings, both in Racine and around the US. The family holiday gatherings were particularly precious to her. The family closeness and their genuine concern for one another was always her pride and joy.

She had a unique ability to be an effective “listening ear” for many friends on matters big or small. Her friends would readily attest to it. Her life carried with it considerable physical pain, largely driven by spinal issues she was born with plus subsequent major surgeries of all types. People who were aware of her various forms of pain often asked Neal if she could possibly be as cheerful at home as she was in public given her physical challenges. His response was always “…that’s just who she is; just as upbeat at home as you see in public.”

She is survived by her husband, their 3 amazing children: Kari (Bruce), Peter (Sheila) and Andrew (Betsy), nine wonderful grandchildren: Aaron, Molly (Andy), Brian, Hannah, Stephen, Katie (Sean), Ben (Michaela), Sam and Anna as well as three delightful little great grandchildren: Harper, Gunnar and Avery and also her brother Larry (Jean). Gerry was preceded in death by two brothers, Harlan and Kenneth, her brother-in-law Warren and their daughter, Julie Ann, who died from cancer while they lived in England.

A memorial service celebrating Gerry’s life will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11 am at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio Street, in Racine, Wisconsin. Relatives and friends may meet prior to the service 9:30 a.m.-11 am.

In lieu of flowers you are invited to send memorials to either Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), the Choral Arts Society of Racine, or an organization of your choice.