Gerald A. Hausser passed away Friday, February 14, 2020 at age 88. He was preceded in death by his parents Russell & Alice, his brother William, his beloved wife Diane “Dee” and his son John. He is survived by his sons Don and Steve of Phoenix, AZ, daughters Debbie Graf, Janet (Don) Fehsenfeld and Jill (Patrick) Russell and daughter-in-law Kaye. Also survived by grandchildren Jamie, Erica and Sophie Winn and Victoria, Sam and John Russell, as well as great grandchildren Ava and Christian and a new great grandbaby on the way.
Born Dec. 8, 1931 to Russell and Alice Hausser, Gerry was a 1950 graduate of Catholic Central High School and Kettering University in 1955. Married in 1954 to Bernice A. Schrauben (deceased), they had four children, one of which passed away as an infant. On July 7, 1978 he married Diane (Dee) Graf and they spent 37 years in love.
Over the years, he was employed by General Motors, Steelcase and Amway Corporation, retiring in 1991 as Vice President of Administration.
He was, at various times, president of Rotary Club of Grand Rapids-South, Western Michigan Thunderbird Club, West Michigan Data Processing Management Association, and Interparochial High School Board. He served in the Army Signal Corps, achieving the rank of warrant officer.
He collected Ford Thunderbirds, read much of Sherlock Holmes, and studied the Jack the Ripper Mystery and the Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg.
He was the founder and presiding officer of the “Thursday Morning Breakfast Club”, which has been meeting regularly since 1991.
At his request, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:30 AM until 10:20 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 1449 Wilcox Park Drive in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Education Foundation, 1449 Wilcox Park Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506; or William C. Hausser Endowed Scholarship 4837 at Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931 would be kindly appreciated.
The people that loved Gerry would like to thank Debbie for her selfless care and sacrifice throughout the last years of his life.
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