Mary Gerlach Obituary

Mary J. (Woods) Gerlach, age 89, died on January 25, 2026, at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, Minnesota. Mary was born on October 2, 1936, in Duluth, MN to Sidney and Florence (McCarthy) Woods. She was a graduate of Denfeld High School class of 1954 and completed her education at the University of Minnesota – Duluth in 1958. Mary was united in marriage to Robert C. Gerlach on August 6, 1960. Mary had a strong Christian faith and was a member at Queen of Peace Catholic Church for many years. Mary and Bob enjoyed spending time with friends and family during their many summers on Big Lake, and later during their retirement years wintering in Fort Myers. Along with Bob, Mary was her children's and grandchildren's biggest fan, from youth activities through high school and collegiate competitions, rarely missing an event. Mary and Bob were able to celebrate 60 years of marriage just prior to his death in 2021.

Mary will be remembered and dearly missed by her children, Julie (John) Hanowski, Jean (Bob) Gessell, Jon (Kay) Gerlach; grandchildren, Beau, Ben (Melissa), and Joseph (Erica) Hanowski, Katie (Josh) Samuels, Anna (Bennett) Leitch, Conor Gessell (Kaci), and Zachary (Jess) and Mitchell Gerlach (Morgan); great-grandchildren, Lillian and Rhett Hanowski, Deklen Samuels, Trey and Lucy Hanowski, and Colbie and Maisen Leitch. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents; and all of her siblings.

The family would like to give a special thank you for the wonderful support and care provided by all the caregivers at St. Croix Hospice, and Northern Lakes Assisted Living.

Private family services will be held. Inurnment will be at New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cloquet Educational Foundation (www.cloquetedfoundation.org) or St. Scholastica Monastery (www.duluthbenedictines.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet.