Obituary: Georgine ‘Gee’ Kretzmann

Georgine (Gee) Kretzmann, of Ellison Bay, died peacefully June 22 at Hearthside Home in Sister Bay, with her husband Conrad (Connie) and son Mark at her bedside. She was born Feb. 22, 1928 to Orlando and Charlotte E. Carner (Arndt), Cleveland, Ohio. Her first college experience was at Oberlin College, Ohio, before transferring to Valparaiso University, Indiana, where she earned a degree in English and met Connie.

Connie and Gee were married August 27, 1950 in Cleveland. They lived in Chicago where their children Katherine, Peter, and Mark were born. In 1956 they moved to Libertyville, Ill. before retiring to Ellison Bay in 1989. In 1995 they built a home on 10 acres of hay field thus the name Hayfield House. A perfect place for Gee’s love of flower gardening.

Gee taught first grade for many years in Mundelein, Ill. Although small in stature, Gee was large in heart. Her years were filled with generosity, love and compassion. She and Connie displayed their generosity by sharing their Libertyville home with foreign exchange students and high school students in need of a home. In Door County at the Hayfield House they invited Shepherd of the Bay Church visitors and travel club members from throughout the world to stay with them. For decades Gee and her family prayed for and helped support an Indian Christian family. On Wednesday nights she served a plain rice supper, to instill in her children solidarity with those less fortunate and to send the savings generated from this low cost simple meal, to the India family.

Gee is survived by her husband Connie, her three children, Katherine Peters of Lindenhurst, IL, Peter (Nathalie) Kretzmann of Grangerville, ID, Mark ( Tammy) Kretzmann of Poy Sippi, WI and brother-in-law- Dick Lewis of Matteson, IL; seven grandchildren Sean Peters, Amanda Peters (Jason Demming), Abby (Kate) Ritter, Crispin (Jessica) Kretzmann, Eliah Kretzmann, Nicholas (Keisy) Kretzmann, Theodore Kretzmann, and four great-grandchildren. Gee was preceded in death by her sister Lois.

The family gives heartfelt thanks to Martha Coventry and her aides at Hearthside care center in Sister Bay for their compassionate, thoughtful and loving care.

On her 67th marriage anniversary weekend on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 11 am, a joyful service will be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay in her memory and honor.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Compassion International – 12290 Voyager Parkway – Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921-3668 or Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin – 3003A North Richmond Street – Appleton, WI 54911.

Online registration and condolences may be given at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.