KAUKAUNA — Sue Gertz, who made history as Kaukauna’s first woman to serve on the city council, and current Kaukauna Area School District Board of Education board member, has passed away at age 85.
She passed away at home on March 14, 2026 after a battle with endometrial cancer, according to her obituary at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home.
Gertz spent her adult life serving the community of Kaukauna.
In November of 1979, Gertz was asked by then mayor of Kaukauna, Robert LaPlante, to finish out the term on the city council of her husband, Bob, who had passed away earlier that month.
She accepted and became the first woman to ever serve on the Kaukauna Common Council. She served in this capacity for 28 years until 2007.
Gertz then was elected to the Kaukauna School Board in 2014 and was also a long-standing member of the Alumni Foundation Board. She served in both capacities up until her death. She also was a member of the Friends of 1000 Islands for many years.
A big sports fan, Gertz had been a Packers season ticket holder since 1957, when Lambeau Field opened. She was at the Ice Bowl in 1965, and attended the Super Bowl in 1997 in New Orleans. Sue was also an avid golfer who was still hitting mid-50’s at age 85.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Kaukauna Location, 2401 Fieldcrest Drive, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. A vigil service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish-St. Mary Site, 119 W. 7th Street, Kaukauna, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.
