Gerald Shilts 10/05/2026

Gerald LeRoy Shilts

Gerald LeRoy Shilts, age 88, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, at Regions Hospital following a brief illness.

Gerald was born on March 13, 1938, in Thorp, Wisconsin. He spent his childhood in Hayward, Wisconsin, where he grew up working on the family farm and in his father’s logging business. The lessons he learned there, hard work, perseverance, and helping others, stayed with him throughout his life.

In 1957, Gerald joined Boilermakers Union Local 647 and began a career that took him across the country, including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, where he helped build and maintain infrastructure that powered communities and industries. He was considered an expert welder and taught many others the trade. While helping construct the Garrison Dam in North Dakota, he met the love of his life, Eunice, in 1958. They married on June 21, 1959, in Hazen, North Dakota, beginning a partnership that would span decades.

In 1975, Gerald began working for Northern States Power (NSP), where he remained until his retirement in 1998. He earned the respect of coworkers and friends through his dependability, skill, and willingness to tackle any challenge.

Gerald was also a proud United States Army Veteran, serving from 1960 to 1966 as an APC driver. Stationed in Baumholder, Germany, during the Berlin Crisis and construction of the Berlin Wall, he carried great pride in his military service throughout his life. He was an active member of Amery VFW Post 7929 and Amery American Legion Post 169.

To know Gerald was to know laughter. He never passed up an opportunity to tell a joke, tease a friend, or lighten the mood with a well-timed story. He also had a knack for telling people what to do, how to do it, and occasionally how they should have done it in the first place. Fortunately, his advice usually came from experience, and often, he was right… or so he thought.

Beneath his quick wit and strong opinions was a man with an enormous heart and unforgettable bear hugs. Whether someone needed a hand, a ride, a repair, or simply someone to listen, Gerald was there. His family knew they could always count on his support, his advice (aka instructions), and his unwavering love.

Among his many unofficial titles, Gerald was known throughout the family as the “Baby Whisperer.” At family gatherings, it wasn’t unusual to find him with a baby asleep in his arms while he softly hummed a tune. Parents quickly learned that if a little one was restless, Gerald could have them peacefully asleep in no time.

His garage was another place where family and friends naturally gathered. It was part workshop, part classroom, and part community center. Whether someone needed help fixing a car, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile, lawn mower, or the latest toy that wasn’t working right, they knew where to go. The standing rule in the garage was simple: “You can use my tools, but you better clean them and put them back where you found them.”

While people may have borrowed his tools, what they valued most was the knowledge and friendship that came with them.

Gerald’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched through his work, military service, laughter, and unconditional love for family and friends. He will be remembered for his strength, generosity, sense of humor, and the stories that will continue to be shared around kitchen tables and family gatherings for years to come.

Though he may no longer be here to tell us what we’re doing wrong, his laughter, wisdom, and love will remain with us always.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

“A life well lived is measured not by the years we are given, but by the lives we touch along the way. Gerald touched many.”

May he rest in peace.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Eunice; daughters Patricia (Steve) Oswald and Cindy (Kevin Brehm) Shilts; siblings: George (Elnora), Melvin (Donna), Dave, Don (Janice), Linda (Derek) Craker, Darlene (Mike) Dailey, Naomi Marquart; sisters-in-law Pat Shilts, Barbara Shilts and Eileen Bell; brother-in-law Gerald Schrempf; grandchildren Jessica (Dino) Boni, Jacob Shilts, Emily (Frank) Anastasia and Thomas (Hannah Stokhaug) Oswald; great-grandson Nello Boni, and many nieces, nephews and other cherished family and friends.

Preceded in death by his son, Rodney Shilts, parents Douglas and Violet (Stelter) Shilts; in-laws, Jacob and Elsie Schrempf, brothers Clayton, Glen, Gordon and Kenny Shilts; sister Joan Becker; brothers-in-law Dave Marquart, Ryan Becker and Timothy Webb; sisters-in-law Beverly (Schrempf) Webb and Monica Schrempf.

A funeral service will Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 12:00 noon at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (365 West River Dr.) in New Richmond.  Visitation will also be Thursday from 10:00-12:00 at the church.  Lunch will follow the service.  Interment will be in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery Spooner, WI.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

For those wanting to order flowers for Gerald’s service contact Shoots and Stems (715) 246-4444.

Click here to watch Gerald’s funeral service live at 12:00 noon on Thursday, Oct. 15th