Gerald Clinton Nease

Lake Mills/Waterloo -- Gerald Clinton Nease, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Gerald was born in Rankin IL on October 25, 1922.   He was the middle of 3 sons born to Thomas Ray Nease and Elsa Mae Chenoweth.   Gerald was united in marriage to Katherine Marie Kuntz in Hoopeston IL on January 7, 1945.   Gerald and Katherine moved from central Illinois to their farm on Newville Road, rural Lake Mills, in January of 1961.   Gerald was proud to be a farmer.   Through the years he had a dairy operation, raised beef cattle, and cash cropped.   In recent years he spent many hours in his orchard, tending his garden, and mowing his lawn.   Gerald was active and provided leadership to the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, the Lake Mills-Aztalan Historical Society, the Lake Mills Town Board, and the Lake Mills First Congregational Church.   In their retirement Gerald and Katherine enjoyed winters in Mission TX.   Gerald is survived by his wife of 66 years, Katherine; their 3 daughters, Kay (Bill) Hause of Oregon, Barbara (Hap) Daus of Platteville, and Diane (Charlie) Flood of Verona; 5 grandchildren, Dawn Hause Kirchesh, Michelle Hause (Brian) Holland, Jeremy Daus, Peter (Julie) Flood, and Jacob Flood; 3 great grandchildren, Courtney, Brianna and Zachery; his sister-in-law, Louise Nease; and many nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Lorin Ray and Thomas Dale.   A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 307 W Madison St, Lake Mills WI 53551 with Rev. Neil Partington and Rev. Mark Yurs officiating.   Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.   The family expresses its gratitude to special friends Dick and Shari Flood, Beth Forward, Jim Kassaube, and Arlie Dale Wilke for their support.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Lake Mills EMS or the First Congregational Church, Lake Mills.