Geraldine “Gerrie” Nelson Martini

Geraldine “Gerrie” Nelson Martini passed away on Apr 29, 2026, in her daughter’s home in Onalaska, after 96 vital, active, and loving years to her family and friends. Gerrie was born on December 16, 1929 to Sigert and Lydia Nelson of Stevens Point.

She is survived by her children Marie Martini (Glenn Peterson, Middleton), Bob Martini (Kathy, Rhinelander), Betty Dennis (Al, Wausaukee), Patty Martini (Caledonia Minn.), and Joan Miksis (John, Onalaska), 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Martini, her parents, and three siblings. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Hofmeister, of Stevens Point.

Gerrie graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School, in Stevens Point, in 1946, and married Bill Martini in 1947. After completing his degree on the GI Bill, the Martinis moved to Wausaukee, and then moved to Goodman in 1950 where they lived in the DNR Ranger Station. Gerrie was the ranger’s wife with many of his responsibilities when he was away from the station. They moved to Wausaukee in 1959. Gerrie worked as a stay-at-home mother and then as a Kindergarten teacher’s assistant, beginning her career teaching and advocating for children. This was followed by a move to Rhinelander.

In the 43 years that Gerrie Martini lived in Rhinelander she was employed by the School District of Rhinelander as the librarian at West Elementary School. She was known district-wide as a caring advocate for children, and children remember her as a fun-loving librarian. Gerrie was also known in the volunteer role she created as the “Picture Lady” because she went to all the elementary schools, showed pictures of great art and explained the lives and times of each artist. This was before the internet and her research came from her travels abroad and the public library. She said this was the favorite part of her job and she loved encouraging kids to enjoy reading and the arts.

 She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Northern Arts Council, the Choraliers women’s choir, and enjoyed 14 trips to Europe, China, Japan, Greece, Mexico and all over the United States. Gerrie was a weekly bridge player even at age 96, and an avid rummage sale fan. In 2000, after Bill’s death, she sold their home and built her own home in Rhinelander.

In 2007 she moved to Madison to be closer to her daughters and to be very active in the Wisconsin political scene. She was a decade-long member of the Raging Grannies, with her daughter, Marie. Gerrie wrote several songs for the group, and rarely missed a gig, a protest, or a march.

In 2020 she moved to La Crosse and lived at Eagle Crest Independent Living until 2026. She regularly played bridge, dominos, and other card games, and never missed a morning exercise group. She considers her friends at Eagle Crest her second family. 

Throughout her life Gerrie Martini wrote countless letters on her manual typewriter to governors, presidents, and local elected officials to promote progressive ideas and causes. She also wrote to her kids and grandkids over the decades to share her sage advice and her feelings for them. These letters are treasured. Gerrie also wrote a novel and was self-published at the age of 94. This was written by hand on the typewriter as well since she refused to use computers.

Gerrie was very interested in antiques and appeared, once, on PBS Antique Roadshow. She was a voracious reader often reading three books a week. She also enjoyed numerous camping trips with the DNR Fire Families.

Gerrie will be remembered as an extremely giving and caring person who advocated for family, friends, and all people of this earth. Her family strives to become as close as possible to her legacy. Hers was a finished and well-lived life.

The family requests no flowers. Instead, please make a donation, in her name, to an elementary school library, or the children’s section of a public library, to honor her lifelong love of reading and her decades of work encouraging young people to share this love. Gerrie also requests that we all stay active in supporting human rights and voice ourselves in what we believe will restore a peaceful, caring, and loving world.

A celebration of life service was held on May 7 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse.