Gerald “Gerry” Michael Slaby, 97, died peacefully at Dove Healthcare facility in Osseo, WI,
Thursday morning, August 21, 2025.
He was born August 3, 1928, on the home farm in Lewis Valley near Arcadia, WI, to Stephen
and Mary (Susa) Slaby. He married Florence Ressel October 9, 1951 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church,
Independence, WI.
Gerald is survived by his daughter, Dori (Bob) Pulse of Eau Claire, WI, son, Bryan (Sandy) Slaby
of Oxford, AR, daughter, Denise Murnane (Ray) of Sparta, WI, and son, Deetter/Gerald
(Lastenia) Slaby of Stephenville, TX; fifteen grandchildren, Travis and Derek Olson, Valerie
McCormick, Mandy Kramer, Matthew Slaby, Jason Boberg, Denielle Wolfe, Rachel, Michael and
Samuel Murnane, Bailey Tempel, Gerald and Sofia Slaby; step-grandsons, Marcus Easterby and
Christian Ceron; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
He was a lifelong and devout member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Arcadia, WI.
Our dad was a beloved leader and patriarch to our family as well as a hardworking, lifelong
farmer. He began raising beans and cucumbers on his first farm on the River Bottoms near
Arcadia, WI, then moved to a farm in Buell’s Valley near Waumandee, WI, where he milked
approximately 20 cows and raised turkeys through Doughboy. He then moved his family to the
home farm in Lewis Valley near Arcadia, WI. Two barn fires dissolved his dreams of dairy
farming but he continued to raise crops and some livestock. Eventually he and his wife moved
to a home in Independence, selling the home farm to his daughter and son-in-law, LiAnn and
Don Korpal. Other than farm work, his employment included working at the Arcadia Box
Factory, Whitehall Packing Co., and he retired at Eckel Implement as a mechanic. Following
official retirement, he continued to use his repair skills and was well-known for his baler and
manure spreader repairs.
Dad always loved to dance and old-time polka dancing became a weekly event where he
enjoyed the fellowship of many friends. He was often heard to let people know he once danced
at a polka fest eight hours without a real break. He was light on his feet and a sought-after
dance partner. During the week you could find him at East End Bar in Independence with his
card buddies playing a card game called Jipper. And jokes? He had a million of them, often
pulling people in with one of his opening lines only to have them know they got “caught” and
all had a good laugh. There were few people who ever beat him at checkers. He rarely
complained and had a positive outlook on life. When someone would ask him, “Gerry, how are
you?”, his response was, “If I was any better, I’d have to take something for it!” He was known
for his hugs, he loved and thrived on them.
A heart valve replacement August 5, 2020, and the Covid shut-down took a toll on him and his
need for socialization. Dad was happiest when he had something to do or could add to other
people’s lives. During this time he developed a process for picking out hickory nut meats. He
created a system of washing and freezing them, then cracking the nuts and focusing on how
many perfect halves he could pick out of the shells. Many people enjoyed the nut meats in their
baking or snacking.
In February, 2022, he entered Dove Healthcare Assisted Living in Osseo and in July, 2023,
moved to the Dove Healthcare Nursing community. Several of dad’s polka friends called and
visited him at Dove and he loved every call and every visit. Our family wishes to express
exceptional gratitude for the incredible care, love, and attention dad received from the entire
Osseo Dove Healthcare family. He met and embraced many friends there.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florence; twin brother, Alfred; older brother,
Clifford; son, Dennet Slaby; grandson, Dustin Boberg; and daughter, LiAnn/LaLa Korpal.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 29, 2025 at Holy Family Parish
in Arcadia, with Reverend Kyle Laylan officiating. Family and friends are welcome for visitation
from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Edison Funeral Home in Independence. Burial will
be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. To leave an online condolence for his family, please visit
www.edisonfuneralhome.com.
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