Gerald “Gerry” M. Slaby
Gerald “Gerry” Michael Slaby, 97, died peacefully at Dove Healthcare facility in Osseo, on Thursday morning, August 21, 2025.
Gerald was born August 3, 1928, on the home farm in Lewis Valley near Arcadia, to Stephen and Mary (Susa) Slaby. He married Florence Ressel, October 9, 1951, at Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Independence.
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, life-long farmer. He began raising beans and cucumbers on his first farm on the River Bottoms near Arcadia, then moved to a farm in Buell’s Valley near Waumandee, 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. 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.
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; 15 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 18 great-grandchildren.
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 Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Holy Family Parish in Arcadia, with Reverend Kyle Laylan officiating. Family and friends are welcome for visitation Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 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.
