Eleanor Gerlach

Eleanor Gerlach, age 93, of Preston, Iowa died peacefully on Dec 5th, 2022, at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, Iowa. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston, Iowa at 11am on Saturday 10th with a period of visitation prior to the mass at 9am. Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com . Donations will go toward Hospice of Jackson County.

Eleanor was born January 13, 1929, the daughter of John and Loretta (Roling) Wagemester, near Bryant, Iowa. Eleanor graduated from Mount St. Claire Academy in Clinton, Iowa. She worked at Climax Engine following graduation and later went for additional schooling at the American Institute of Commerce for training in typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping skills. She was then employed at Pillsbury Corporation in Clinton, Iowa as an executive secretary. She next took a bookkeeping job at Clinton National Bank before her marriage to Eugene Gerlach on August 22, 1953. Eleanor then worked as bookkeeper for the family business, Gerlach’s Inc. LP Gas and Appliance in Preston, Iowa.

For the next 57 years, Eleanor and Gene made Preston their home and community. Eleanor had a deep love of her catholic faith, gardening, antiquing, quilting, and reading. She served as an assistant librarian in Preston for many years. She and Gene also loved to travel and camp. Eleanor was a good sport in participating in her husband’s love of fishing. The family enjoys sharing the memory of when Eleanor and Gene pressure canned 100 pints of salmon in their camper during a summer fishing trip to Alaska.

Eleanor is survived by her son; Michael (Suzanne) Gerlach of Riverview, Florida, two daughters; Monica Gerlach of Dallas Texas, Susan (Timothy) Zeimet of Spragueville, Iowa; nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Diane; son, Daniel; granddaughter, Janet; sisters, Theresa Schaefer, Kathleen Eggers, Eileen Kurt, and brother; John Jr (Bud) Wagemester.