Obituary for Thom Gerretsen

Thom Gerretsen, 71, Marshfield, passed away surrounded by loving family on Saturday, September 7, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be held beginning at 11 am on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield with visitation prior to the service from 9-11 am. With Thom having been an avid fan of all sports, the family is encouraging everyone to wear their favorite team attire as we celebrate Thom’s life. Livestreaming of the service will be available on Facebook and YouTube.                  https://faithlutheranchurch-wi.subspla.sh/tpcxs8v

Thom was born on November 17, 1952 to Robert and Rita (Kain) Gerretsen in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated in 1970 from Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, IL, and attended UW-Whitewater, where he became involved with the campus radio station’s news department, sparking his ambitions of becoming a journalist.

He began his long career in 1975 when he accepted a part-time position at WCLO/WJVL Radio in Janesville as a reporter, then later at WPDR/WDDC in Portage. He began working at WDLB/WLJY, then owned by Goetz Broadcasting Corp., in Marshfield in 1978 as a full-time assistant in the newsroom; later becoming the station’s news director in 1986.

Just days after he moved into his new apartment building in Marshfield, Thom became acquainted with the “girl next door” and 15 months later, he and Jean were married on August 18, 1979.

During his 21 years at the radio station, Thom won many prestigious awards for his coverage of local and state news. He had the opportunity to interview hundreds of dignitaries, five U.S. presidents, many major sports figures, and anyone else worthy of being part of a good news story. He was also the host of WDLB’s local talk show, Insight, for many years, as well as From the Mayor’s Office, which was a weekly on-air conversation with the current mayor.

Thom was also involved with the company’s statewide news and sports networks, where he was instrumental in sending news and audio soundbites to other radio stations across the state from its Marshfield studio. This allowed Thom the unique opportunity to cover statewide sporting events, including the Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers; as well as the Packers’ two Super Bowl appearances in 1997 and 1998.

In 1999, Thom was employed at the Marshfield News-Herald as a general assignment reporter, and quickly promoted to managing editor in less than a year. In late 2001, he was recruited to become chief editor for Wheeler News Service, where he was responsible for writing news and sports copy each day to be used by more than 75 Wisconsin stations.

He served on many local and statewide media boards throughout his career, often holding leadership positions. Thom was a graduate of the Leadership Marshfield program, which named him Alumnus of the Year in 2005.

Thom was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Marshfield, where he was active in the choir and a past member of the church’s leadership council. He was also active in Marshfield’s Kiwanis Club and the Central Chamber Chorale.

Thom retired in November 2017 but continued to contribute columns for the Hub City Times in Marshfield and Packerland Magazine and share his expertise about issues and topics on social media. After Jean retired in 2018, they were making the most of their retirement by traveling to various locations in the United States to enjoy both their passions, sports and quilting. They were especially enjoying their spring and summer this year, hardly being at home-living life to the fullest.

In 2021, Thom was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame for his many years of service to the profession. And was recently named as one of Marshfield’s 150 Heroes and Leaders of the Past and Present.

Thom is survived by his wife, Jean, of 45 years, along with his children Michael Gerretsen and Bryan (Amy) Gerretsen; grandchildren Dominic (Cassie) Gerretsen, MyKayla (Issiah) Gerretsen, Sarah Gerretsen, Brooke Conover, Kenzie Gerretsen and Piper Gerretsen plus great-grandchildren: Morgyn, Ariella, Cambree, Rylann, and Riggs Gerretsen. He is further survived by a brother, Marc (Kathie) Gerretsen plus sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws: Ronald and Karen Cummings, Bernard and Judy Fox, William and Kimberly Aumann, Tracy Campbell, Rosemarie Bade, Donna Bade, and Mary Jane Bade and also multiple nieces and nephews.

Thom was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Rita Gerretsen; mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law Eveyln and Albert Dimeo and Alfred and Shirley Andersen and also sister-in-law and brother-in-law Laura and Henry Miller.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, aides, food service and maintenance workers in ER and on the fourth, seventh, and eighth floors of the Marshfield Medical Center. They were wonderful and made Thom’s final days as comfortable as possible.

Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com