Norman James Gerber

Stoughton- Norman James Gerber, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Blue Mounds township on August 25, 1930, the son of Helena (Butteris) and Rudolph Gerber.

Norm served his country in the US Army Combat Engineers in Korea where he was severely injured. Upon returning home, he resumed his schooling for plan design and building construction.

Norm married Helen Riphahn on June 16, 1956. Together they had four sons, John, Jeffrey, James, Jerome, and a daughter, Jean, who died at birth.

Norm was very civic and community minded. He was appointed by the governor of WI to serve on the newly formed council dealing with one-and two-family dwelling codes. In 1992 he was selected Stoughton Citizen of the year. Norm and his wife, Helen, were chosen to be Syttende Mai King and Queen in 1994. Norm was a member of the American Legion and VFW and the Rotary Club. He served on the hospital board of directors and was a director of Stoughton State Bank. Norm owned and operated the Stoughton Lumber Company and the Orfordville Lumber Company. He sold the businesses to his sons, John and James, retiring on July 1, 2009.

Norm’s first wife Helen died in 2003. He married Marge Rorge on June 12, 2007 in Stoughton, and welcomed her family as his own gaining three children, Lissa (Matthew Ferrell) Hecker, Beth (Jeff) Boxwell, and Ross Hecker, as well as six grandchildren, Talyn, Rayna, Eddie, Mila, Gus, and Bryn.

Norm is survived by his wife, Marge; his children, John (Margit) of Stoughton, Jeffrey (Marla) of The Woodlands, Texas, Jim (Shelley) of Stoughton, and Jerome (Angie) of Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, Brian (Sara) Stensaas, Paul (Danielle) Gerber, Michael R. (Christina) Gerber, Daniel Gerber, Sean (Melissa) Gerber, Eric (Mackenzie) Gerber, Benjamin (Rosie) Gerber, Michael J. Gerber, Alex Gerber, and Maddie Gerber; nine great grandchildren; sister, Janice Olday; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Helen; their infant daughter, Jean; his parents; great grandson, Jack Gerber; siblings, George, Robert, Joseph, Betty Singleton, Mary Ann King, Alice Redepenning, Berneice Schulenburg, Francis Trainor, and Shirley Maier.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 12, 2024 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with Fr. Randy Budnar officiating. Burial, with Military honors, will follow in St. Ann Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, and from 10:00 AM until the time of services Friday at church.

Memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society.

Please share your memories of Norm by posting in his Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244