1946 - 2008

Mary Ann (Niederkorn) Gerlach, 62, of Kenosha, passed away at her residence on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008.

Born on Oct. 19, 1946, in Kenosha, she was the daughter of the late Eugene J. and Ferne (Liddy) Niederkorn.

Involvement in higher education was part of Mary Ann's life from the beginning.She attended St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Grade School and was a 1964 graduate from St. Joseph's High School.Continuing to see the importance of education, Mary Ann attended UW-Stout.She later graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor's Degree.Mary Ann completed her post-graduate work at UW-Whitewater, UW-Parkside, and Carthage College.

On July 30, 1977, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, she was married to Paul E. Gerlach.They later welcomed into the world a beautiful daughter, Amy.

For 37 years, Mary Ann enhanced the lives of many children with her teaching abilities.She began teaching in Fort Atkinson, Wis., and in 1969 she transferred to Kenosha where she taught at Lincoln Elementary School.Prior to her death, Mary Ann planned to retire from Brass Community School.

She was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.Mary Ann also was a member of the Kenosha Education Association and treasurer of the PTO at Lincoln Elementary School.She enjoyed traveling, knitting, gardening, reading, and scrapbooking.When Mary Ann wasn't teaching, she expressed her love and devotion to her family.Mary Ann will be remembered for her humbling kind heart and clever sense of humor.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband, Paul; a daughter, Amy; and a lifelong friend, Suzanne Smith-Miller of Tennessee.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Jean.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7117 14th Ave.Friends and family are asked to meet at the church for Mass.Interment will follow in St. George Cemetery.A visitation for Mary Ann will be hosted on Monday, Dec. 29, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home.

In honor of Mary Ann and her love of education; memorial remembrances that will be used to further her daughter Amy's education or St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church would be appreciated.

Piasecki-Althaus

Funeral Home

3720 39th Avenue

Kenosha, WI53144

262-658-4101

Online Condolences at www.piasecki-althaus.com