Anna Marie Gerlach, 85, of Palmyra, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at her home with her loving family at her bedside.
Anna Marie was born in Whitewater on Oct. 10, 1940, the daughter of Martin and Marion (Langen) Valentine. She grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. On Sept. 16, 1961, she was united in marriage to Dean Gerlach and the two would go on to enjoy 50 years of marriage until Dean’s passing in 2012. Anna Marie was blessed with four children, Diana, Jeffery, Eric and Jody. She was a loving wife and mother and took excellent care of her family. She enjoyed cooking and baking and made sure to keep her family and friends well fed with delicious meals. She enjoyed sewing, rooting for the Packers and Badgers, and a good cup of tea. She also loved attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Anna Marie was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Palmyra and she lived her faith in the way she treated others. She had a sincere kindness and was always willing to volunteer or serve others in any way she could. She will be remembered for her warmth, love and care and she will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind.
Anna Marie is survived by: her children, Diana Gerlach of Palmyra, Jeffery Gerlach of Palmyra, Eric Gerlach of Eagle, and Jody (Mike) Sorge of Eagle; her grandchildren, Meghan (Ray) Koscak, Caitlyn Gerlach, Bryce (Michelle Malicki) Gerlach, Tyler Gerlach, Jared (Colleen) Kinjerski, and Jackson Sorge; her great-grandchildren, RJ and Millie Koscak, Jace Hilgen, and Easton and Emersyn Kinjerski; her siblings, John Michael (the late Judy) Valentine, Rosemary Valentine, and Helen (the late Scott) Van Horn; her sister-in-law, Pauline (the late Wayne) Valentine; and brother-in-law Joseph (Karen) Gerlach. Anna Marie is further survived by a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, and her siblings, Phillip Wayne Valentine, Mary Margaret, Martha, and Paul, father-in-law Stanley Gerlach and mother-in-law Helen Gerlach, sisters-in-law Betty (Honey) Linton and Judy Valentine, brothers-in-law Donald (Barney) Linton and Scott Van Horn, niece Julie Gerlach and nephew Jason Linton.
The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice for their wonderful care and help, especially Kelly, Hanna and Heather.
Memorials in Anna Marie’s honor may be made to the American Arthritis Association or the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. Monsignor Donald J. Heiar, Jr. will officiate the Mass. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Anna Marie will be laid to rest immediately following the Mass in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit www.gibsonfuneral.com.