Geraldine “Gerri” M. Bilidt

Thursday, May 21, 2015 6:42 pm

Geraldine “Gerri” M. Bilidt, 87, of Cresco, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015, at Country Winds Manor rural Cresco. Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, 404 North Elm Street, Cresco, with a scripture service at 7 p.m. Visitation continues an hour prior to the time of service Friday at the church.

Geraldine Mae Vokaty was born May 18, 1927, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ludwig) Vokaty in Paris Township, Howard County. She attended school at Paris No. 1 until the 8th grade. Gerri was united in marriage to Norman Bilidt at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lourdes July 30, 1946. Together they farmed, then moved to Kendalville and owned the grocery store there and after moving to Cresco owned and operated The Rite Spot. In their younger days Norman and Gerri enjoyed playing cards with friends, and dancing at Matter’s Ballroom in Decorah. Gerri was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and Notre Dame Parish. She spent many hours creating quilts, sewing, needlework, gardening, making cards, reading and Sudoku. Gerri made the best fried chicken, kolaches and cake with boiled frosting. Everything Gerri created throughout the years was to bring joy and love to her family, most of her gifts had extra special meaning because they were homemade. Gerri’s family would like to thank the staff and friends she made at Country Winds Manor for their wonderful care, and the St. Croix Hospice for their care and support. 

Geraldine is survived by her daughter, Vickie (Dale) Linnane of Faribault, Minn., and their children, Tina (Rick) Stadler of Faribault, Minn., Jennifer (Todd) Miller of Grimes, Shaun (Erin) Linnane of Faribault, Minn., Sara (Nick) Jablonske of Hastings, Minn. and Lisa Linnane of Lonsdale, Minn., her daughter Julie ( David) Clink of De Pere, Wis., and their children Chad (Kami Broeren) of De Pere, Wis., and Linda (Jeff) Yaedke of Green Bay, Wis., and her daughter Marilee (Richard) Bugenhagen of Cresco, and their children Jeremy Bugenhagen of Mason City, Keith (Jessy) Bugenhagen of Cresco and Keri (Adam) Schatz of Cresco; 12 great-grandchildren: Olivia, Isaac, Grace, Sydney, Lukas, Isabella, Hunter, Kaitlynn, Amelia, Dylan, Skyler and Lily; a sister, Joan (Ralph “Arkie”) Kleve, of Cresco; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Norman, in 1993; daughter, Linda; and son, Larry, in infancy; grandson, Scott Clink; her brothers: Raymond, Joseph and Arnold.