Geraldine L. Hommen

Deerfield- Geraldine L. (Eide) Hommen, age 90, passed away peacefully at Jefferson Memory Care Facility in Jefferson on June 3, 2024. She went by the name Gerry, or as some knew her, Ma Hommen. She was born on July 11, 1933 on a farm east of Stoughton on Hwy 51. Gerry was the daughter of Alma (Smithback) Eide and Lawrence B. Eide. She went to Carpenter School and Utica School, both being one-room schoolhouses. She graduated from Cambridge High School in May 1951. 

Gerry married Rodger Hommen on July 21, 1951 at East Koshkonong Lutheran Church. Together they farmed the Hommen Family Farm in Deerfield for 34 years. Gerry worked for Mautz Paint in Madison in the 1960’s. In 1969 she took a job at Brittingham and Hixon Lumber Yard in Deerfield. Gerry and Rodger then moved to a duplex in Deerfield. There she worked for the Village of Deerfield by taking care of the dump on Saturdays. Gerry then worked at LSJ, a silk-screening company in the Industrial Park. All of the Hommen families were able to get college T-shirts and sweatshirts for a good price. Gerry lastly worked at Liberty Corners Tavern after Rodger died in April 1995. She tended bar for 3 days a week in the afternoons. Gerry enjoyed talking to her customers that came in to visit her. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies. They would take trips to different locations and even a casino once in a while. Gerry was the Horseshoe League Secretary for many years. Before Rodger died, they bowled in a couple’s bowling league. She also bowled in a women’s league for Utica Bar. Gerry enjoyed the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. Gerry went to Hawaii with the Deerfield Bank to a Badger Football game. She traveled with family members to New York City, to Phoenix, out west to Yellowstone, to Branson with some friends, and had the occasional fishing trip up north. Gerry enjoyed playing cards. She was in charge of the Card Club at Liberty Corners. Gerry enjoyed going to the Community Center in Deerfield to play cards and bingo with all her friends.

Gerry is survived by her children, Donna (Daryl) of Cambridge, Duane (Linda) of Cambridge, Ron (Wendy) of Park Falls, Rick (Lu Ann) of Deerfield, Randy (Kathy) of Liberty, MO, Bill (Jodi) of Milton, and Bob of Cambridge; many grandchildren and step-grandchildren; many great grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; and great great grandchildren. She is further survived by a niece and nephew in Michigan. Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter-in-law, Mary Hommen; great grandson, Braxton Duane Eikland; three sisters, Hazel, Alice and Ruby; three brothers-in-law; and an infant sister, Cary Geneva.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Paul Liberty Lutheran Church in Deerfield. A luncheon will follow in the church Education Center. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of service at church.

A special thank you to the staff of Jefferson Memory Care and Rainbow Hospice for their care of Gerry and her family.

Please share your memories of Gerry by posting in her Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

201 Bue Street, PO Box 376, Deerfield

(608) 764-5369