Paulette L. Gerner

Paulette L. Gerner, age 57, of Waupaca, WI, formerly of West Bend, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 following a short illness that she so courageously battled. She was born August 9, 1966 in West Bend; daughter of Howard and Esther (Ackerman) Gerner. Paulette graduated from West Bend East High School in 1984. During high school and the years that followed, she started learning the ropes in the fast-food industry which brought her to owning and operating her own Dairy Queen franchise. Paulette managed two Dairy Queen’s in Milwaukee before moving to Waupaca in 1992 and taking over the local Dairy Queen from the Draeger family. She had a business sense about her that took her skills into T-Dub’s Pub in Waupaca, Central Waters Brewery in Amherst, and H.H. Hinder Brewery in Waupaca. Paulette loved to cheer for her favorite sports teams, the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, and enjoyed spending time with her many friends and family. She will be dearly missed. Paulette is survived by her brother Peter (Jeri) Gerner of West Bend; her sister Penny (Jeff) Maletzke of Sheboygan; nieces and nephews Clint Gerner, Amanda (Dave) Dornacker, Ben (Becky) Hofmeister, Nicole (Clint) Soulier, and Erin (Charlie) Bettag; great-nieces and great-nephews Logan, Sophie, & Emma Dornacker, Abby, Mady, & Charlie Hofmeister, and Dominic, Leo, & George Bettag; aunts and uncles Richard (Betty) Ackerman of Pickeral, Bernice Wilkins of West Bend, June (Bill) Kirby of Three Lakes, and Warren (Ceil) Gerner of Fredonia; and also by many cousins, numerous friends and business acquaintances she has made through the years. She was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Esther Gerner, and an uncle Milton Wilkins. Funeral Services for Paulette will be on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 4:00 PM at the Holly Funeral Home, 526 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI. Father Xavier Santiago will officiate. A visitation will be held on Friday afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Holly Funeral Home. A private family burial will take place at Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Paulette’s name. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Paulette’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to the close friends of Paulette’s who contributed to her care, comfort, and conversation these past few months. She was in capable and caring hands during her final days and we know she was grateful to all who cared for her.

Paulette L. Gerner

August 9, 1966 - September 24, 2023