Geraldine Welnicke, 90, of Manitowoc, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center.

She was born on August 20, 1931 in Manitowoc to the late Edwin and Alice (Bruechert) Bialek.  Geraldine grew up and attended school in Manitowoc.  She later married Edwin Welnicke on August 27, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manitowoc.  Geraldine worked for many years in the kitchen at St. Mary's Home until her retirement.

Family was very important to Gerri and she cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also had a special place in her heart for her many nieces and nephews.  Gerri enjoyed cooking and always had a special treat ready when company would come over to visit.

Survivors include her husband, Edwin Welnicke of Manitowoc; son, Joseph (Jean) Welnicke of Manitowoc; grandchildren, Brenda Czekala of Two Rivers, Kelly (Eric) Stahl of Sun Prairie, and Lisa (Dustin) Fahney of Stevens Point; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Sandra Bialek of Manitowoc, Susan Bialek of Manitowoc, Sandra Brandt of Tisch Mills, and Maxine Bialek of Jacksonville, FL; brother-in-law, Eugene Kriescher of Tisch Mills; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Alice Bialek; and siblings, Betty Jane Bialek, Shirley (Kenneth) Holschbach, Grace (Harold) Mahnke, Edwin (Lavern) Bialek, Pauline (Richard) Wolfert, Paul (Marlene) Bialek, Richard Bialek, Allen Bialek, Frank (Lavonne) Bialek, James (Nancy) Bialek, and Judy Kriescher.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Grand, 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Doug LeCaptain.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Following the service, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Manitowoc.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Shady Lane and Laurel Grove Assisted Living, and to the staff of the Holy Family Memorial Emergency Department and CCU.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.