Gerarda 'Gerri' M. (Vassallo) Metzger

Surrounded by her loving family, Gerarda “Gerri” M. Metzger, age 76, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Avellino, Italy, January 26, 1935, daughter of the late Claudio and Caterina (Nee: Cafaro) Vassallo and had been a resident of Racine since 1963.

On May 18, 1963, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church she was united in marriage to William F. Metzger. An excellent cook and baker, Gerri shared her talent serving thousands of delicious meals at Roma Lodge for the past forty-two years. She was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church. She cherished caring for her family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Bill; her sons and daughters-in-law, Fred (Cecilia) Metzger, all of Racine, Charles (Laura) Metzger of Palatine, IL; her grandchildren, Ryan Gavin, Megan Gavin, Michael (Amy) Gavin, Josh Wegner; brother, John Vassallo of Greenfield, WI; sisters, Anna (Aurelio) Fardella of Racine, Lillian (Ted) Wichrowski of Greendale, WI, Rosa (Antonio) Perrelli, Claudia (Gerardo) Crosta, all of Avellino, Italy; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard (Mary) Metzger of Racine, Maureen Vassallo of Waukesha; longtime family friends, Vincenzia Milutenovic, Joanne Cruz, and Sandy Bradshaw; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., with Rev. Kevin Mullins O.S.A. officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11a.m. Memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin, 200 S. Executive Drive #203, Brookfield, WI 53005 have been suggested.

Gerri’s family extends a special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and his staff at Oncology Alliance and to the staff at Wheaton Franciscan Hospice for all their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine     (262) 634-7888