BYRON – George A. Wrasse, age 92, passed away at Pinecrest on Jan. 12, 2020. He was born to Otto and Bertha (Meyer) Wrasse on March 8, 1927 on his parent’s farm located 5 miles NE of Hancock, Wis.
He attended Four Corners grade school and Hancock High School. George worked in a defense plant that produced superchargers for B29 bombers at Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee during school vacation in 1944. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1945 and was called on March 30 1945 to training school at Great Lakes Training Center. His ratings held were AS, F2c, F1c, S1c, and Phom3c. His duty station was Johnston Island in the Pacific and duties were whatever could be done to relieve the longtime veterans who needed replacements before they could leave for home. Starting as a baker’s helpers his duties also included file clerk, typist, mail delivery, and ended his stay there as a photographer. In August, President Truman gave the order to deliver the atomic bombs to Japan which probably saved many lives and ended the war. He served on the Johnston Atoll until July 1946 and was honorably discharged on July 30, 1946.
He then went to Deforest Radio School in Chicago and spent a year at Milwaukee School of Engineering. George went on to work at Dictaphone Corporation in Madison and Collins Radio in Janesville before owning and operating a plumbing and heating business in Hancock with his brother Carl. He then moved to Casa Grande, Ariz., working for a heating and cooling contractor and then worked on the 16 Titan 2 missile sites around Tucson. He moved to Byron and worked until his retirement at Pressure Airduct, United Sheet Metal, and finished at Larson Sheet Metal.
He married Geraldine “Gerry” Wrasse on Oct. 6, 1951; she passed away on June 12, 1986. He then married Frances VanVelzer on Dec. 27, 1986 in Byron; she passed away on Aug. 23, 2004. George was an active member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Byron. He enjoyed gardening and playing pool with his friends. He loved music and playing his keyboard. He spent time inventing, designing, and building a multitude of things. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining people. He also loved a good game of cards.
He is predeceased by his parents, wives, siblings, Lillian, Esther, and Carl; grandchildren, Brian and Kyle Wrasse, daughters in law, Pamela, Pennie, and Valerie, step daughter Debbie, and step granddaughter Kimberly.
He is survived by his children, George (Pamela) Wrasse, Roger (Diane Medearis) Wrasse, John (Marina Zemchikhina) Wrasse, Jim (Diane) Wrasse, and Julia (Ron) Bargren; step children, Victoria (David) Taylor, Julie (David) Stukenberg, and Richard (Donna) VanVelzer; 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 8 step great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at All Saints Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow. A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials are established for All Saints Lutheran Church, St. Jude’s, and the Senior Center in Oregon. To leave an online condolence please visit www.farrellhollandgale.com.
