Gerald Lee Shady
Gerald Lee Shady, age 81, loving honorable father of two passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022, to reunite with the love of his life Nancy L Shady.
Gerald was born on April 3, 1940, to Melvin “Dick” and Mabel Shady. He was brother to Rudolph “Butch” and Roger. The three boys created wonderful memories growing up on the farm, working at Mabel and Dick’s Bar in Oakfield, and teaming and tearing up the bowling lanes.
Gerald attended a small country school in Ladoga at the age of 4. When he was 9, he started attending public school in Oakfield where he and the love of his life Nancy met. Nancy and Gerald married on February 4, 1961, spending the next 61 years cherishing every moment together. During the early years of their marriage, Gerald was enlisted in the National Guard and spent time away in the state of Washington. He was a Sergeant and served from 1958-1964. He would often tell stories of his time in the guards and the many cadences that they would sing while marching that made us laugh.
Upon graduating from high school, Gerald became a printer at the Fond du Lac Reporter. He moved on from the Reporter to work for Badger Liquor Company in Fond du Lac as a warehouse foreman. He enjoyed his years at Badger Liquor where he made an impact on the employees with his leadership and warm, kind, and sometimes witty personality, big hugs, and was cherished until he retired at the age of 65. He had fond memories of the many friends he made.
Gerald spoke often of his greatest achievement – raising his 2 children, Tim and Tammy. He spent countless hours teaching his son how to fish and hunt. He coached his son’s little league baseball team. He was so proud of how his son continued the legacy of hunting and fishing with his 3 sons. Gerald watched his son become everything he dreamed he would be: loving husband, father and grandfather. Gerald was his daughter’s HERO. He was always there for advice and whenever she asked for help (sometimes at a moment’s notice) he dropped everything to be there. He always made his daughter feel that she was precious.
Gerald was a super fan of Chicago teams – the Bears and Cubs. He took bus trips to see the Chicago Cubs and went to Lambeau Field with Nancy to see the Chicago Bears. He and Nancy travelled to the Bear’s training camps in the summer. He has a Chicago Bear shrine in his home.
Gerald was also a fan of car racing. He would watch races on television and went to the stock car races in Milwaukee in the 1970’s with family and friends. For years, the family would spend the day at the Dewitz’s house watching the INDY 500 on Memorial Day. He was able to attend a few INDY 500 races. His favorite racer was Dale Earnhardt Sr and collected Earnhardt cars and other memorabilia.
Gerald had two nicknames in his life – Bum and Hummer. The nickname Bum came from his Uncle Rudy who always told him when he came to visit that he was a little bum. The nickname Hummer came from his many teammates who played with him in the fastpitch softball leagues. He was credited with being one of the best pitchers in fastpitch softball for many years – the ball just “hummed” past the batter.
Gerald loved the following: fishing with his father and wife, hanging out with his best friend and cousin the late Robert “Bobby” Redman, playing bingo at Oneida with Roger and Mary Etta and getting mad because he was ONE NUMBER AWAY always, throwing horseshoes, watching GSN, crossword puzzles, driving Nancy around, playing cards, yelling at Judge Judy, posting on Facebook, going to his grandchildren’s school events, and even putting up Christmas decorations outside for his wife every year.
Gerald is survived by his two children, son, Tim (Susie) Shady of Oakfield and their children, Dan (fiancé Kim Zilavy) Shady and their children, Piper, Vivian, Bernadette, and Josephine of Oakfield, Mitchell (Kaytlin) Shady and their children, Logan and Jackson of North Fond du Lac, Brett (Kayla) Shady of Oakfield; daughter, Tammy (Jim) Wiese of Oakfield and their children, Tiffany (Zack) Parker and their twin daughters, Addison and Charlotte of Oakfield, Dillon Wiese of Fond du Lac. He is further survived by his brothers, Rudolph (Carole) Shady and Roger (Mary Etta) Shady; brother-in-law, Jim (Jelaine) Schmitz; and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; parents, Melvin and Mabel Shady; and his in-laws, Harold and Doris Schmitz.
The family will greet friends and family on Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Uecker Witt Funeral Home. A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place in Avoca Cemetery in Oakfield.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Gerald’s name.
A special thank you to: the wonderful nurses and doctors on 5 South of St Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. Gerald was always treated with respect and dignity and your compassion towards him when his family could not be present was more than the family could have expected. The staff at the Cancer Center in FDL for his care and especially to Callie who was always available to answer questions and provide her wonderful smile and caring spirit to Gerald while being treated.
Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com