Twelfth Generation

743. Col. Gerald E. "Jerry" SULLIVAN (`) (~) was born on 3 September 1929 in Monroe County, WI.^37,215,656 He graduated in 1947 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵³² from Tomah High School. He died on 12 July 2014 at the age of 84 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁵⁶ Obituary Notes: "Colonel (retired) Gerald E. Sullivan, 84, of Tomah passed away Saturday, July 12, 2014, at the Tomah Memorial Hospital in Tomah. He was born Sept. 3, 1929, to William and Winnifred (Dickinson) Sullivan in La Crosse, and was raised on a 120-acre dairy farm in Reels Valley near Tomah.

Jerry proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and Army. He was united in marriage to Cleo Lee Miller Sept. 20, 1952, at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah.

He is survived by his wife, Cleo; his children, Diane Holschbach of Shawano, Wis., Dr. Thomas (Shirley Lindefjeld) Sullivan of Waccabuc, N.Y., Cathyrn (Michael) Huey of Lafayette, Colo., Barbara Sullivan of Golden, Colo., William (Jackie) Sullivan of Nokomis, Fla., and Linda Sullivan of Golden; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Hillary, Greta, Dylan, Emily, Hannah and Riley; and two great-grandchildren, George and Liberty; also cousins, Anne Protz and Nancy Wellenkotter.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 5, 1947, and was called to active duty Jan. 20, 1952, as a Naval Airship Aviation Machinist Mate. He was honorably discharged from the Navy Nov. 23, 1953, then worked at Tomah VA as GS1 Nursing Assistant and decided to go to nursing school. J erry graduated from Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minn., in 1957 and returned to Tomah to work in the VA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves March 5, 1962, and went active duty May, 15, 1964, in the Army Nurse Corps reporting initially to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, and retired July 1, 1982, as a Colonel at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver.

Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., May 30, 1970. Jerry was assigned/stationed throughout his military career in Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, Texas, and overseas to the 543rd General Dispensary in Taegu, South Korea ,and the 121st Evac Hospital Seoul, South Korea, and 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, West Germany.

Jerry’s interests included volunteering for veterans’ organizations, preserving history, genealogy, collecting military memorabilia, bird feeding and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifetime member and past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus, Retired Army Nurse Corps, Retired Officers, and Retired Reserve Officers Associations, American Society of Military Insignia Collectors, Fort McCoy Retiree Council and serving as editor of their paper. He volunteered at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tomah Area Historical Museum, Military Firing Squad for veterans’ funerals, placing American flags on veterans’ graves for holidays, and with Cleo planned their class reunions for the Tomah High School Class of 1947, with their 65th reunion August 2012.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2014, at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. Monsignor Richard Gilles will officiate. Burial with full military honors by the Tomah VFW Post #1382 will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. "

Col. Gerald E. "Jerry" SULLIVAN (`) (~) and Cleo Lee MILLER were married on 20 September 1952 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁵⁶ Cleo Lee MILLER, daughter of De Wayne MILLER and Edna FRIEDL, was born on 6 August 1929 in Madison, Dane County, WI.⁶⁵⁷ She died on 9 February 2024 at the age of 94 in Louisville, Boulder County, CO.⁶⁵⁷ Obituary Notes: "Cleo L. (Miller) Sullivan, age 94, formerly of Tomah, Wisconsin, was called to her eternal home on Friday, February 9, 2024 in Louisville, Colorado while in the care of hospice. Cathy Huey, her daughter, was by her side that early morning.

She was born on August 6, 1929 to DeWayne and Edna (Friedl) Miller in Madison, Wisconsin. Cleo grew up in Norwalk and Tomah. She was an only child and enjoyed playing in Warrens, WI with her numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins that Cleo was typically older than in age.

She was united in marriage to Gerald Sullivan on September 20, 1952 at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. They were classmates from the THS class of 1947. Cleo was first a Navy wife upon marrying Jerry. Later an Army wife for 20 years. Cleo was the constant, steadfast, humble, self sacrificing, organized, and truly an amazing mother and homemaker for her six children.

Cleo studied business and initially worked as a bookkeeper at Farmer and Merchant's Bank in Tomah. She volunteered her time all of her life. Whether as a girl scout leader, or later in life with the DAV Auxiliary, at St. Mary's church, and at the VA hospital all in Tomah. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, setting puzzles, and she loved animals.

She is survived by her children, Diane (Daniel) Holschbach of Lakewood, WI, Dr. Thomas (Shirley) Sullivan of Pound Ridge, N.Y., Cathryn (Mike) Huey of Lafayette, CO, Barbara Sullivan of Golden, CO, William (Jackie) Sullivan of Nokomis, FL, and Linda Sullivan of Golden, CO. Known to her grandchildren as Grandma M & M. Seven grandchildren, Zachary (Tracy) Holschbach of WI, Hillary (Drew) Adelman of WI, Greta Gallagher of GA, Dylan (Katie) Huey of CO, Emily (Dr. Zachary) Denka of OH, Hannah (Nick) Eppley of CO, and Riley Sullivan (special friend Jordyn) of CO. Mom's fruitful family tree continues to grow. Currently thirteen great-grandchildren, George, Liberty, Daniel, Isaiah, Joseph, Titus, Maci, Henry, Grace, George, Logan, Nora, and Isla. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gerald in 2014.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations go to the Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Tomah and Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter of Tomah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah, WI. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church with a rosary being recited at 9:45 a.m."

Col. Gerald E. "Jerry" SULLIVAN (`) (~) and Cleo Lee MILLER had the following children: