Gerald M Ferlaak

On Monday, July 20, 2020, Gerald “Jerry” M. Ferlaak of Marietta, GA, passed away with his family by his side, ending a year-long battle with lung cancer at the age of 79. Jerry is known as a kind, generous, hard-working, loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Rooted with a strong work ethic, he provided for his family to ensure their wants and needs. He accomplished this by proudly working for IBM for 41 years. Life was a journey, starting in Minneapolis/Rochester Minnesota, to Milwaukee, living 21 years in Chicago (Palatine, IL), and finally settling in Marietta, GA for the past 30 years, since 1989. Jerry forged life long relationships along the way, leaving a trail of people affected by his charm, warmth and friendship. Jerry was born in 1941 in Minneapolis, MN to Melvin and Rose (Gersich) Ferlaak. He graduated from Ramsey High School, class of ‘59, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Gifted in technology and ability to analyze, he studied electronics at Dunwoody Industrial Institute. Upon graduation, was quickly recruited by IBM, spending 41 years working for this formidable company. While working full time, Jerry studied to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Training, Education, and Development to further his career as a Senior Education Specialist. He developed technical coursework for IBM’s best and brightest programmers, developers, IT Architects and sales teams. Jerry met his beloved wife, Maria, in Rochester Minnesota in 1960 and they have been happily married for 57 years. Maria was from Lima, Peru, visiting the USA for a procedure at the Mayo Clinic. Meeting her was love at first sight! They related to the romance in the film “West Side Story”, and he often sang this song to her: “Maria, I just met a girl named Maria...”. After a year-long engagement, Jerry traveled across the equator to Lima Peru to marry into an extensive Peruvian/Chilean family, who mutually intertwined each other into their lives. He was so beloved by his late mother in law, Adriana Santa Cruz of Santiago, Chile, that she nicknamed him “Mi Rey”, which means “My King” in Spanish. Jerry and Maria raised three children, Ron, Adriana, and Sue. He was an ever-present and engaged father, a perfect balance of loving, firm, and fair; which set his children up for success. Family time was a priority to Jerry. Although he was always prudent with his personal expenses, he generously treated his family to annual vacations to nurture family engagement. Highlights included regular trips to Peru, (visiting family in Lima, as well as exploring Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the mountains of Arequipa), as well as a yearly trip to the lovely Florida Gulf beaches as a special treat for the grandchildren. In addition, Jerry made it a priority to travel regularly with Maria, enjoying cruises and travel around the world, including Venice, Rome, the Vatican, and Cape Horn/Tierra del Fuego, the Caribbean and Alaska. Jerry was an active member of the Windsor Oaks ALTA tennis team, and a devoted member of Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, GA. Jerry has been a volunteer for many groups throughout his life. As a child, he was an altar boy, as an adult, served as a Boy Scout leader in various positions from Cub Master to Explorer leader. He coached and assistant-coached several boys and girls soccer teams, as well as assisted his subdivision’s ALTA tennis teams. He proudly volunteered at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as floor staff for the gymnastics competition. After retirement, Jerry did not slow down. He spent 15 years volunteering at the Cobb County Senior Center leading their “Computers for Seniors” program, which entailed developing, teaching, and scheduling and staffing classes. Throughout his life, he has been dedicated to students and family throughout his life and carried that ethic way beyond retirement. Jerry is survived by his loving wife Maria; his three children: Ronald Ferlaak (Maricar) of Canton, GA, Adriana Blandford of Milton GA, and Suzanne Anderson (Doug) of Shakopee MN; his granddaughters Nicole and Courtney, Becky and Ally, and Alessabella; his brother John Ferlaak (Karen); and cousins Anita Stewart Lloyd and Jim Ferlaak (Nadine). Funeral services are still being planned. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta, GA. The family would like to thank Dr. Silpa C. Reddy, M.D. and the staff at Atlanta Cancer Care for their loving care and dedication.

Gerald M Ferlaak

April 11, 1941 - July 20, 2020