Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Atkinson

May 10, 1930 - May 22, 2017

Atkinson, Gerald J. “Jerry”, age 87, of Burlington, passed away at Pine Brook Pointe on Monday May 22, 2017. Jerry was born in Racine on May 10, 1930, the son of the late Clair James and Viola Elizabeth (nee. Thielen) Atkinson. He was a 1948 graduate of St. Catherine’s High School in Racine. In 1951, Jerry chose to enlist in the United States Air Force to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. On February 13, 1954 he married the love of his life, Betty Mae Forsmark, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Racine. Jerry worked as a field engineer for Wisconsin Electric (Burlington Branch) for 37 years. In 1964 Jerry, Betty and their daughter, Gale, moved to Burlington. Throughout his life, Jerry had a great love and appreciation of nature and the great outdoors. For many years he enjoyed going hunting and fishing. He spent time hiking, canoeing, camping and cross-country skiing, as well. Jerry also earned a lifetime membership to the Racine Instinctive Bowmen Club. More recently, Jerry enjoyed spending time reading Louis L’Amour books, watching NASCAR (#24- Jeff Gordon), being an armchair quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeye football team. He also challenged himself to do a Sudoku puzzle daily to stay “sharp’. Jerry was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish. He had great faith and trust in the Lord, and thanked God each day for all the blessings that he received. He strived to lead by example through both his words and actions. Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He was especially proud and grateful to be the grandfather of Elizabeth. Of all things on Earth, Elizabeth was the most precious to him. Jerry tried with all of his might to stay with her, as well as and the rest of the family, as long as he possibly could. To his family, Jerry was a hero in so many ways. Jerry is survived by his daughter, Gale (Theodore) Hegeman of Burlington and his granddaughter, Elizabeth (Dr. Brooks J.) Obr of Coralville, Iowa He is further survived by his siblings: Lorraine Janz of Mosinee, WI, Carol Briscoe of Huntington Beach, CA, Mary (Jack) McGue of Frankfort, OH, Timothy (Patricia) Atkinson of Racine, along with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Sally Cushman of Mt. Pleasant, WI as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Viola, his wife, Betty, his brother, Ronald, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sam and Elida Forsmark, as well as many other dear friends and relatives. Visitation will be held in the chapel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington, WI on Wednesday May 31, 2017 from 9-11 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial starting at 11 AM. A light luncheon in Heim Hall will follow Mass. Burial will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Racine. In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials made to St. Mary’s Parish or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. David Taylor, Dr. Fouad Jamal-ul Husnain, Aurora Hospice of Burlington, Pine Brook Pointe, and to all of the nurses and staff that had been involved in giving special care and attention to our father, grandfather, and brother, Jerry. Mealy Funeral Home, Inc Waterford, Wisconsin 262-534-2233 www.mealyfuneralhome.com