Gerald V. Varsoke, 74, of Rochester, Minnesota died Thursday December 29, 2011 at Samaritan Bethany Heights nursing home where he had been a resident since Friday December 23, 2011.

Gerald was born November 14, 1937, in Amsterdam, NY, the son of William and Sophy (Karpaitis) Varsoke.  Following his graduation from Saint Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y in 1959, he served for 2 l/2 years as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps. On December 26, 1987, he married his wife, Jeannie Verant, and they made their home in Rochester, Minnesota.  He worked for Gulf Oil and then later enjoyed a long career with IBM working in software development.  He retired from IBM in 1995, but continued to work there until August 2008.  He enjoyed watching sports, fishing, gardening, traveling, dancing, cooking, trading e-mails with his former IBM co-workers, and most of all being with his family and friends.  In recent years due to his progressive struggles with M.S., he enjoyed quiet days and evenings along with his beloved wife, Jeannie.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jeannie; two sons, Christopher Varsoke of Rochester, Mn, Brian Varsoke (Michelle) of Cambridge, Mn; five daughters, Michelle (Steve) Berres and Sharon Varsoke, both of Rochester, Mn, Wendi Schirvar of Stillwater, Mn, Jennifer (Tim) Jacobson of Brandon, SD, and Bridgette (Brian) Behling of Washington, D.C.; four step-daughters, Nicole (Travis) Stewart of East Bethel, Mn, Gina (Kurt) Eberspacher of Blaine, Mn, Cristina (Chad) McNallan of West Concord, Mn,  and Jaclyn Schellenberg of Olympia, WA ; 14 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Mass for Gerald will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, at Pax Christi Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Fogal officiating.  Visitation will be held for an hour prior to the mass starting at 10:00 a.m. at Pax Christi Catholic Church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all the Samaritan Bethany Heights Staff for their expression of kindness towards Gerry.