Trending
PEMBINE, Wis. -- Geraldine "Gerry" Kjell passed away Oct. 20, 2025, at the age of 94.
She was born May 15, 1931, the daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Liss) Spakowitz. She grew up in and around Pulaski, Wis., graduating from Pulaski High School in the spring of 1948.
Shortly thereafter, she met and dated Raymond L. Kerr and the two set off on an adventure that lasted nearly 25 years. After meeting, the two-some engaged in a variety of jobs, including a short stint traveling the country with a circus! It sounds exciting, but don't get your hopes up, they were not performers, they held behind-the-scene jobs. Still, how many of us can say we worked in the circus?
Thereafter, the two settled down in Milwaukee, got married and both ended up working for a number of years at Continental Can.
Never having had children of her own, Gerry spoiled her niece, Cheryl, and nephew Brad, bringing a car-load of toys for every birthday and Christmas.
Gerry's love of fun helped plan plenty of other experiences for her niece and nephew, including a train trip, numerous visits to the Milwaukee Zoo and museum, along with big-city shopping sprees for toys. She was a very fun aunt!
In the mid-1970s, Gerry and Ray went their separate ways. Gerry continued to live in Milwaukee and work at Continental Can, where she met her second husband-to-be, Walter "Wally" Kjell.
When Gerry retired in 1982, she and Wally moved to Pembine, Wis., where they built a home and a future together, marrying Sept. 14 of the same year. Together they enjoyed the outdoors, gardening and camping. Wally liked to hunt and fish and Gerry enjoyed knitting and crocheting.
After Wally passed away in 2004, Gerry remained at her forest home enjoying the solitude and the many visitors to her yard: birds that she enjoyed feeding, turkeys, deer and even the occasional bear; she was also well known for her fondness of cats.
Gerry remained active with friends Carol, Gladys, Linda, and others as they enjoyed "girl's weekends‚" and other getaways. They particularly enjoyed concerts at the Island Resort & Casino, where they saw big names like Charlie Pride, Randy Travis, TG Sheppard and Loretta Lynn.
Always enjoying a good laugh, Gerry also enjoyed visits with Tim and Melissa and dinners at Paris in Pembine.
Gerry was forever grateful to her next-door neighbors, Fran and Lois Kidd. It would have been difficult for her to stay in her home if it wasn't for Fran cutting the grass, moving the snow and taking care of all the other things around the house that needed repair.
Gerry had a big heart and liked to help and take care of others. She cared for her aunt, Esther (Liss), whom she said was more like a sister than an aunt, and Esther's husband, Orville "Bob" Leschinsky, in the later years of their lives.
Gerry also performed volunteer work with The American Legion.
In the past few years before her death, Gerry became very close friends with Lori Ruechel, also of Pembine. Gerry and all of us in the family are forever grateful for Lori's friendship, care, and support.
Gerry was proceeded in death by her husband, Walter Kjell; her parents and grandparents; her sister-in-law, Patricia (Szczepanski) Spakowitz; and her beloved cat, Buster.
She is survived by her brother, Wayne Spakowitz; nephew Brad Spakowitz; niece Cheryl (Spakowitz) Zastrow and her three children, Kelsey, Sierra and Taylor.
As per Gerry's wishes, there will be no memorial service.
She also wanted everyone to know she doesn't want anyone to cry, because if they did "she would never talk to them again!" Her words. She liked a good laugh. Remember her often, with a smile.