Kurt Gearing

Kurt Alan Gearing, age 76, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on January 30, 2024 at home with his wife at his side.  

Kurt was born April 5, 1947 in Madison, WI, to Gerald and June Gearing.  They moved to Milwaukee where Kurt was educated in the Milwaukee School system and graduated from Bay View High School at the age of 17.  He went on to college at Carroll College in Waukesha, WI.  While in college he met Susan Paape, whom he married shortly after college graduation. Together they had two children, Jennifer and Eric.  

Kurt’s first job out of college was with the Defense Department in Eastern Wisconsin, then in 1970-79 he worked for Kohler in Kohler, WI., as a supervisor of office designs and records management.  In 1979 he moved the family to Muscatine, IA.  He worked for HON Industries as the Network and Telecommunication Manger at the corporate level until 1998.

From 1998 to 2003 he worked for Aegon USA in Cedar Rapids as Enterprise Telephone Office Manager.  

In 1986 he married Helen Rickertsen Kruse on June 20.  She brought to the marriage two children: Jason and Reggie Kruse.  They remained married until his death.  37 years. Together they accepted the Truth and were baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in December of 2012.  

Kurt loved to read books, fish, golf and travel and catch people off guard with big words and phrases his Dad taught him. He love watching Helen in the garden which he called her “Play Pen” but when it came to planting trees in their yard, he would jump on the opportunity with alacrity and vigor.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Helen, a daughter: Jennifer Balma (John), a son: Eric Gearing (Tessa), 2 step sons: Jason Kruse (Angelina) and Reggie Kruse (Mindy).  Two grandchildren: Isabella Balma and Ella Gearing.  8 Step grandchildren: Justen Kruse, Shay Troliver, Catalina Rosales, Louie Kruse, Rudy Kruse, Holly Riley, Sidney Badalian, and Piper Goldsberry, in addition to 3 step great-grandchildren.  One sister: Julie Gearing, a sister-in-law LaVonne (Bob) Steigerwaldt, and a brother-in-law Leonard (Wendy) Rickertsen.  Plus 10 nieces and 4 nephews and 9 grand-nieces and 2 grand-nephews.

Kurt was preceded in death by his father and mother and a baby brother Gary.

Visitation will be held one hour before Memorial services at 2:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall in Wausaukee April 6, 2024. A Celebrations of life to follow and details to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the World Wide Work of JW.ORG (see website: donation) or contribute to family wishes for trees to be planted in his honor at a later date.  

Kurt’s quick wit, warm smile and kind heart will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to knowing him.