Rita Mae Gerleman

Rita Mae Gerleman, age 75, of Decorah, IA, died Sunday, March 5, 2006 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Private family graveside services have been held with burial in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is handling the arrangements. Rita Mae (Gipson) Gerleman was born on October 7, 1930 in Dyersburg, Tennessee, the daughter of Jesse Lawrence and Eva Mae (Rogers) Gipson. She was united in marriage with Richard Joseph Gerleman on January 1, 1951 in Corant, Mississippi. To this union 7 children were born: Ricky, Randy, Fred, Becky, Pam, Joey and Barbara. Rita Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, on July 28, 1981; her parents; her son, Joey Gerleman in 1978; her daughter, Barbara Gerleman, in 1960; her grandson, Corby Randall Gerleman; 1 brother, Brady Gipson; and 3 sisters: Evangeline Foshae, Elizabeth Davis and Frances Hastings. She is survived by 5 children: Ricky Gerleman of Arkansas, Randy (Annette) Gerleman of Georgia, Fred (Joyce) Gerleman of Highlandville, IA, Becky (Mike) Pratt of Georgia and Pam (Pat) Sullivan of Decorah; 2 sisters” Joy Yarbro of Florida and Marilyn Broglin of Tennessee; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.