Gerald Monson Sr.

Madison/Poynette/Belleville - Jerry (Gerald) Monson Sr. died on Friday, October 7, 2011 at Meriter hospital in Madison, surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry was born at Madison General (Meriter) Hospital in Madison WI on Jan. 8, 1941 to Ethel (Buergen) and George Monson. He and his brother Terry led an active life in the neighborhood doing such things as building a race car for the Soap Box Derby for Jerry to race, concocting rocket propellant out of their chemistry set which of course led to shooting off rockets in the back yard of their Westmorland neighborhood home and even making a fountain pen radio in the 50's.
Upon graduation from Madison West High School he attended and graduated from the 4 year painter apprenticeship program at MATC and was a long time member of Local Painters Union 802. In 1971 Jerry formed G & M Decorating and worked on many Parade of Homes houses, as well as many other residential properties in the Madison area. During those years he painted for his brother Terry Monson of Monson Construction Co. as well as many other premier builders in the area. When his sons graduated from school they too became painters, learning from one of the best. His son Jerry Jr. became his partner in the business and runs it today.
On September 1, 1970 Jerry married Carol Eken. They moved to rural Belleville to raise their three sons in the country. In the 80's they moved to their cottage on Lake Wisconsin near Poynette, where he enjoyed boating with his family and friends. Jerry's favorite place to be in recent years was his "get-away place" in rural Portage, where he could relax and enjoy his family, especially his Grandson Zach. One of his greatest pleasures was going to dinner on a regular basis with his cousins.
Survivors include his wife of 41 yrs. Carol, his sons Jerry Jr. of Poynette and Brad of Dane, his grandson Zachary Bausch-Meyer of Sun Prairie, his brother Terry Monson of Verona, two nieces and two nephews and his special "Buergen" cousins. Jerry was preceded in death by his son Danny Monson, his daughter Sheri Lynn, his mother and dad Ethel and George Monson, his mother and father in-law Alice and Irv Eken.