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Rohan, Gerald

Gerald (Gerry) Rohan, 91, of rural New London was called to eternal life August 19, 2011. He was born on Nov. 13, 1919 in Lebanon, son of the late Frank & Mary (Kelly) Rohan. Gerald was employed by Fox Tractor in Appleton for 11 years and Bordens in New London for 28 years retiring in June of 1983. He also farmed in the Town of Lebanon all of these years and was a life-long member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Gerald loved to dance, hunt, and until just a few years ago, do field work for his son Tom who took over the family farm. He loved his Lebanon neighbors who are more like family than neighbors. Gerald was also famous for his “whisker rubs” with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gerald was united in marriage to Agnes Sexton on November 6, 1945. She preceded him in death in May of 1983. Gerald was also preceded in death by a son, Bill Rohan, age 19, and a grandson, Tim Kostrzak, age 24. Gerald was united in marriage to his 2nd wife, Dorothy (Spiering) Cooney on Aug. 9, 1986 she preceded him in death in March of 2009. Gerald and Dorothy were very proud to be chosen as the Irish Rose and Irish Man of the Year in 2002 for the New Dublin St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Gerald is survived by four daughters and a son, Patti (Joe) Kostrzak, Tom Rohan (Karen Yde), Mary (Bert) Besaw, Theresa (Greg) Beyer, all of the New London area and Sue (Mike) Siddall of Appleton.
Twelve grandchildren, Lori (Chris) Eick, Appleton, Todd (Lisa) Kostrzak, Hammond, WI, Bryan (Sarah) Fletcher (Hortonville), Matt (special friend, Whitney Golding) & Michael Rohan, New London, Robin (Don) Coolidge, Appleton, Michael (Mutsumi) Siddall, Minnesota, Meghan Siddall, Colorado, Nicole (Mike) Clausen, Greenville, Jason Besaw, Greenville (special friend, Chantel Sundolm, Green Bay), Brittany Beyer, Kenosha, and Brianne Beyer, Milwaukee. Seven Great-grandchildren: Maverick & Jonah Kostrzak and Paige & Jackson Clausen, Kira, Kendra, and Kipp Kostrzak. And a multitude of nieces and nephews. Gerald is also survived by 7 step-children from his second marriage. Tom (Cathy) Cooney, New London, Jim (Judy) Cooney, Texas, Rick (Carol) Cooney of Appleton, Evelyn Van Lyssel, Fremont, Carol (Dick) Sedo (Winneconne), Diane (Ted) Ognie, Milwaukee, Becky (Dan) Esslinger, Appleton. Gerald is survived by a sister, Mary Fran (Jack) Crain of Germantown and a brother-in-law, Tom (Lynn) Sexton of Elcho, WI. He was preceded in death by his sister Margeurite (Pat) Sexton (Appleton) and his brother, Gene (Phyllis) Rohan, New London as well as a brother Donald who died as a toddler. The Funeral Mass for Gerald was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the Town of Lebanon with Rev. Msgr. Dennis Lally officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Friends called at the Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London on Monday from 4-8 p.m. where a parish prayer service was held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation was also held on Tuesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Dad was able to spend his final days in his own home, but wanted the staff at St. Joseph Residence to know how appreciative he was of the care he received there last summer, and even moreso, how much he appreciated the care that was given to his wife Dorothy in the last months of her life. They cared for her and him in that period. Special thanks to Sue Cates.
We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tim Rasor and Dr. Scott Kolbeck who went above and beyond. Our thanks also to Clair Flease, and Don & Marie Crain – they give new meaning to the word “friends.” Our thanks to Monsignor Dennis Lally for all of his home visits and spiritual support. Our thanks to Heartland Hospice for helping us all in this journey.
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