Geraldine Wojtysiak

Geraldine "Geri” Wojtysiak, age 93 of Montello passed away peacefully in her home Tuesday evening, July 15, 2025. Geri was born in Cicero, IL on May 26, 1932 to Joseph and Anna (Zelasko) Hejl. She attended Columbus and Morton High Schools in Cicero. Geri loved to roller skate. At age 14 she met a young man who was 18, and from there a beautiful and meaningful romance started. Geri and James “Jim” Wojtysiak married at St. Dionysus Catholic Church in Cicero on July 1, 1950. They shared 65 beautiful years together until his death in 2015.

Geri was a stay at home mom and as her daughter stated, “the best mom ever”! She loved being a mom and grandma. Geri loved to cook for her family and friends. She enjoyed planting planters and gardening in her lawn. She was very sociable and neighbors could see her daily as she walked her dogs. Geri was a kind and giving person who never said a bad word about anyone.

In 1986, following Jim’s retirement, they moved to Montello, WI. She and Jim enjoyed their home on Montello Lake where they spent many hours fishing together. Whenever together they were seen holding hands like two teenagers. It was evident their love for one another was strong.

Geri was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Montello where she enjoyed volunteering as a greeter, a eucharistic minister a member of the funeral lunch committee and the soup and sandwich committee. Geri also enjoyed the ladies from her Red Hat Society.

Geri is survived by her loving daughter, Gerianne “Gerri” Arntzen-Greer (Larry Greer) of Amboy, IL, grandsons: John Arntzen of Garland, TX, Joseph Arntzen of Freeport, IL and granddaughter, Jamie Arntzen of Dekalb, IL and sister, Barbara Wojciechowski. Geri is further survived by nieces, nephews and other family members and many dear friends.

Geri is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers: Norbert Hejl, George Hejl and Joseph Hejl and sister, Lorrayne Keefe and granddaughter-in-law, Sasha Arntzen.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Geraldine Wojtysiak will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Father Savio Yerasani will preside and burial will follow at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com