Roger Gierach

Mr. Roger Gierach of Port Washington passed away Tuesday evening, Oct. 28, 2025, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls. He was 88 years old.

Roger was born in Cedarburg on Aug. 14, 1937, the son of Melvin and Alice (nee Bartelt) Gierach. 

He attended local schools before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. Roger served at Camp Pendleton as a unit stockman, driving trucks full of ammunition. 

After he left the service, Mr. Gierach turned his skills into a lifelong career of over-the-road driving. He drove for Freeman Chemical in Saukville and finished his 55-year career with Inland Trucking in Jackson, retiring in 2012. He was a proud member of the Teamsters.

On Sept. 21, 1963, Roger was united in marriage with Karen Stiefvater at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Washington. It was a double ceremony with Karen’s twin sister, and a number of other twin family members in attendance. An Ozaukee Press article referred to the event as “The Parade of Twins.” Karen and Roger settled in Port and raised their family of four children.

Roger enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan, occasional trips to casinos and watching Packers and Brewers games on television with his wife. 

He was truly all about family and enjoyed taking his children on road trips all over the country. Once, when his brother moved to Nevada in search of work, Roger drove his six nieces and nephews to visit their father. In his later years, he kept in touch with his kids and grandkids with frequent phone calls to check in with them. 

He loved Dairy Queen treats and still enjoyed a daily vanilla shake. Morning coffee with his wife was always the highlight of his day.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Karen of Port Washington, daughters Susie Gierach (fiancee Don Marten) of Prentice, Kathy Gierach of Caldwell, Idaho, and Carol (Jeff) Leppla of Mukwonago and son Gary Gierach of Port Washington. He is further survived by grandchildren Jennifer, Becky, Shane, Mitchell and Mikayla, great-grandchildren Malia and Marilyn, brothers Orville (the late Anne Marie) Gierach of West Bend and Eldred (the late Marilyn) Gierach of Lakeland, Fla., nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.  

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and brother Duwayne Gierach.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m.Monday, Nov. 10, at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home Monday from 4 p.m. until the services at 6 p.m. 

Roger will be buried with military honors at Southeran Wisconsin Veterans Memorials Cemetery the following day.

Memorials in his name are suggested to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in lieu of flowers. 

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.