Gerald F. Hinderholtz

October 3, 1925 - April 18, 2018

Gerald F. Hinderholtz passed away on April 18th, 2018, at age 92. He was born October 3rd, 1925 in Racine where he was a lifelong resident. He was the son of Franklin and Jule (Jardny) Hinderholtz. Jerry married Joan Nelson in Chicago on July 17, 1948. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Joan (Nelson) Hinderholtz. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Don Hinderholtz, and his son-in-law, Jeff Meissner. Jerry is survived by his three children: Bob Hinderholtz, Mary Meissner-Leonard, and Julie Krautkramer; his two sons-in-law Mike Krautkramer and Dan Leonard; his three grandchildren: Joe Meissner and his wife, Jaime, Sarah Meissner, and David Krautkramer; and his three great-grandchildren: Chris Mosur, Jordan Meissner, and Jayna Meissner; and his many nieces and nephews. Jerry was a Navy combat veteran of World War II, having survived the sinking of his ship the Colhoun near Okinawa on April 6, 1945. Jerry had many and varied jobs before going back to school to get his teaching license. He taught for Racine Unified School District for 27 years. There he was a classroom teacher, a science helping teacher, and a science curriculum specialist. He was the planetarium director at Gifford School while also building the Hands-On Science Center for the District’s elementary school science field trips. For many years Gifford School gave a special award at the end of the year in his honor, the Gerald F. Hinderholtz Love of Learning Award. He was named PTA State Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1987, and in the same year was also inducted into the South Eastern Wisconsin Educators Hall of Fame. Later Jerry was also inducted into the Park High School Hall of Fame. Jerry had many interests and hobbies that included gardening, woodworking (famous for his small wooden machine models), painting, sculpture (you can see two of his wood sculptures in the children’s department of the Racine Public Library), travel, and music, including making his own classical guitar. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. A time of visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home (1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI) on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Racine Public Library Children’s Department.