Dobbe Sr, Gerald R.

Gerald R. Dobbe Sr. age 84, passed away unexpectedly on 8/21/2012 in Moncton, New Brunswick Canada. Gerald was doing what he loved to do, seeing the country, traveling in his RV, living life to its fullest. As those of you who knew him can attest, he had a zest for life that the rest of us can only hope to copy. His smile was contagious, as was his entire attitude towards life. Gerald was an inspiration to his family and friends. Gerald was born with “the happy gene”! Gerald was born 3/21/28 in Rosholt WI, attended Rosholt High School and Luther College in Iowa. He volunteered for the Navy in 1944-47, Saipan and Guam, and was again called to service under the Naval Reserves in 1950. Gerald married Catherine Firkus Oct 14, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Torun WI. He worked at, and later owned, Dobbe Motor Sales up until the late 70’s. He was Rosholt Village President for many years, a member of the American Legion, Nelson/Kaminski Post, BPOE Elks #641, and active in his parish. Always an avid RV’r, Gerald and Catherine moved to AZ and began leading caravans of RV’s through Mexico. After five years he was asked to come to New Zealand and Australia and duplicate the RV caravan trips. Three years later they returned to Arizona to start another chapter in their lives. Gerald became involved with a family business, Bajer Design, and started a sewing/manufacturing plant. Gerald oversaw the development and operation of new facilities throughout Mexico and AZ for the next 12 years. In 2001 Gerald retired, again, this time to truly explore the road and Mexico on his own time. Gerald spent winters in their home in Mazatlan Mexico and summers in Wisconsin. Gerald loved to feed the deer in Sayner, watch pelicans sore in Mexico and spend time with EVERYONE, anywhere and anytime. Gerald is survived by his wife, Catherine (Firkus), sons Gerald (Bob) R. Dobbe Jr (Laura) Rosholt, Leslie (Rosemary) Rosholt, Larry (Michelle) Stoddard WI and daughter Louise Trant Dobbe (Tom) Hudson WI, grandchildren Grant(Caroline)Dobbe, Madison WI, Kara (Zack)Kolden, Appleton, Eliza and Anna Dobbe, Stoddard WI. Brothers Duane & Rick, Rosholt, and sister Betty Anderson, Tigerton. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Andrew P. and Bernice (Haroldson) Dobbe, and his brother “Booney” A.P. Dobbe Jr. Please make donations to American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. www.cancer.org/ Get Involved/Donate on Line Now or, American Cancer Society, 903 S 17th Ave # B, Wausau, WI (715) 848-2881 Visitation will be at 9:30 A.M. at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in Rosholt WI Friday August 31st followed by mass at 11:00 A.M. Internment of ashes to follow at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point WI.