Edward M. Gerlich

Sioux City, Iowa. Edward Michael Gerlich, 87, of Sioux City died September 20, 2014 at Sunrise Retirement Community. Ed was born October 28, 1926 in Bellevue, Iowa, the 2nd of 8 children born to Julius Herman Gerlich and Eleanor Pauline (Griebel) Gerlich. He and his wife, Ruth (Rubner) recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They married August 20th, 1949 in Worthington, IA. Ed is survived by his wife, 3 children, Wanda Kay Veltkamp of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Carol Jarosik of Punta Gorda, FL and Gregg Paul (Doris) Gerlich of Blue Springs, MO, 6 grandchildren, Jessica Alley, Kristen (Jesse) Soyk, Whitney (William) Watson, Ross Veltkamp, Gretchen Gerlich, and Paul Gerlich, 4 siblings Alice (Jim) Sauser, Mary Underhill, Carol Gassman and Robert (Alvina) Gerlich, and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents and 3 siblings preceded him in death, James Gerlich, Velma Jones and Ruth Heying. Ed graduated from high school in Hopkinton, Iowa. He enlisted in the military and served 1944-46 graduating from Airborne Parachutist School. Following military service he attended Iowa State College in Ames Iowa and graduated 1949 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with Iowa Public Service, now Midwest Energy and retired in May 1991 after a 42 year engineering career with the company. He was involved with numerous community and professional organizations including JC's, Toastmasters, Society of Engineers and served on the Board of Directors of Sunrise Retirement Community from 1992 through 2009. Ed applied his mathematical and engineering expertise to many projects both at home and for friends. He was an accomplished woodworker with a special interest in bird carving. He also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping and yard work. He had a strong commitment to his position on the Board of Directors at Sunrise Retirement Community. Ed will be remembered for his work as a member of the creative team that developed the conceptual plan for the current Sunrise Community campus including The Bernstein Memory Care Neighborhood, Sunrise Hills, John Gerwulf Community Center, The Pointe, Maple Heights Annex, and South Maple St. housing. A eulogy and visitation will be held at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, on Friday September 26 9:30 to 10:30 am. Mass will be held at Church of the Nativity Catholic church at 11am. Military rites will follow the service Friday at the church with lunch and refreshments at noon in the church community room. Friends are invited to join the family in celebration of Ed's life. Online condolences can be sent to the family via Meyer Brothers www.meyerbroschapels.com.