Geraldine "Gerry" Yudchitz

Geraldine “Gerry” Joyce Lein Yudchitz of St. George, Utah entered into eternal rest on June 4, 2020.  She was born in Downers Grove, Illinois on May 17, 1931 to Ed and Catherine (Ciesla) Lein.

Gerry was the sixth of ten children.  She is survived by two siblings:  Shirley Rubis of Mountain Home, AR, and Ed Lein of King, WI.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings:  Esther, Lorraine, Betty, Dolly, Don, Margie, and Bob.  Her granddaughter, Julie Hemphill, also preceded her in death.

Gerry is survived by her six children:  Nancy (Jim) Hemphill of St. George, UT, Bill (Ann) Yudchitz of Stevens Point, WI, Susan (Rick) Choronzy of Naperville, IL, Carol Ryan of Brooklyn Park, MN, Cathi Curen of San Pedro, CA, and Bob (Jill) Yudchitz of Stevens Point, WI.  Her family was very important to her.  She demonstrated this in all she did for them.

Gerry was known as GG by her great grandchildren.  A defining trait of hers is that she really liked being a Grandma to all of her grandchildren.  She enjoyed doing things with them.  She was great at coloring.  She went to many baseball games to see a grandson play.  She even rode a tilt-a-whirl when a grandson requested.

Grandchildren: Jim (Kelly Goodner) Hemphill, Los Angeles, CA, Cortney (Tim) Kofarnus, Neenah, WI,  Amber (Josh) Garbe, Stevens Point, WI, Daniel (Jessica) Yudchitz, St. Paul, MN, Jill O'Brien, Naperville, IL, Eric (Cassandra) Choronzy, Wheaton, IL,  Rose Ryan (Dustin Lundebrek), Minneapolis, MN, Forest Ryan, Crystal, MN, Kevin Ryan, Elijah Ryan, Kiki Ryan, Ciara Ryan, and Dove Ryan, Brooklyn Park, MN, Allison Surin (Johann) Alejandre, Long Beach CA, Ryan Surin, Maple Park, IL, Erin (Yudchitz) Eric Olson, Stevens Point, WI.

Great grandchildren surviving Gerry are: Collynn and Jaxen O'Brien, Naperville, IL, Adelina and Zoey Alejandre, Long Beach, CA, Melanie Surin, Maple Park, IL, Ella and Kinsley Choronzy, Wheaton,IL,  Gilana, Aubriel, and Rylyn Garbe, Stevens Point, WI, and Asher Yudchitz, St. Paul, MN.

Gerrry grew up in Downers Grove, IL on the last farm that was within the city limits.  She and her brother, Ed, had a horse that they enjoyed riding all over town.  Gerry lived in Lombard, IL when her family was very young.  Then she moved back to Downers Grove, IL where her children all completed their schooling.  When it came time to sell the big house, she moved to a condo in Naperville, IL, where she was close to some of her family and friends.

Then for some time she lived with daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Rick Choronzy In Naperville, IL.  Her last home was in St. George, UT with Nancy and Jim Hemphill.

She worked most of her life at such places F.W. Woolworth, Cock Robin Ice Cream Shoppe, Betty-Lin Foods, National Tea Company, and Colony Foods – all in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Her occupation was cashier.

Her love was beyond measure, she knew the value of little things, and gave unconditionally to her family, friends, and church.  She volunteered frequently at her church, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church , Naperville, Illinois in a number of roles.  She especially liked serving at funeral lunches to comfort the bereaved.  Of course, she always took some of her cookies and left them upstairs for the church staff.

A simple joy of hers was watching the birds at the birdfeeder outside her window.  She made sure they had plenty of food, so they would keep coming back.

She lived by example--showing her children the joy it brings to give selflessly and to expect nothing in return.

She gave her constant love, care and support to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She made wonderful crocheted afghans for all of the family.

She enjoyed a lively game of dominoes, and she taught family members how to join in.

Gerry was best known for her homemade cookies and candies.  They were enjoyed by all who received them.  Mom was the creme de la creme at making toffee, caramels, chocolate chip cookies. sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, watermelon cookies, chocolate eclairs, and apple slices. Lucky for us, she shared her recipes, but she always made them the best!

Her phone calls will be missed, especially hearing her say "Love you guys" before we would hang up.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at a later time.  She will be deeply missed.