Gerald Grout

Gerald Reed Grout, age 78, of Green Lake, WI, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2010, at Ripon Medical Center in Ripon, WI.

Gerald was born on September 15, 1931, in Chicago, IL, the son of Richard and Katherine (Reed) Grout. He attended Ripon High School, Wayland Academy, Middlebury College, graduating from Ripon College, in 1953, with a Bachelors degree in economics, after which serving two years in the U.S. Army. While attending Middlebury College, Gerald was a member of Chi Psi fraternity and Ripon College a member of Merriman fraternity. Upon his return from active duty, Gerald was employed by the American Exchange Bank in Madison, WI and the First Wisconsin National Bank in Milwaukee. In 1957, Gerald joined the staff of the First National Bank of Ripon as an assistant cashier. He retired after 27 years with 12 years as bank President; he then was the founder of Math Corporation, a computer software firm, where he served as President and Chairman of the Board. In 1975, he married Margaret Lynn Jones. Gerald was one of the founders of the Green Lake Festival of Music, a life-long member of St. Peters Episcopal Church, where he served as a Vestryman and a Senior Warden. He played many musical instruments throughout his life, but enjoyed the trumpet most of all. He was a member and past Commodore of the Green Lake Yacht Club, member of the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, and served as President of the Fond du Lac County Bankers Association. Gerald was a Caestecker Library Foundation Board member and a board member of the Thrasher Opera House. He was an avid sailor of A-Scows and E-Scows and held a Merchant Marines Captains License. Gerald was deeply loved by all his family and friends and will be truly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Margaret Lynn of Green Lake, WI; daughters, Katherine Grout (James) Ostheimer of Minneapolis, MN and Margaret Grout (Dustin) Pagoria of Wauwatosa, WI; sons, Michael (Jeanne) Shohoney of Ripon, WI, David (Shelby) Shohoney of Green Lake, WI , Steven (Jennifer) Shohoney of Franklin, WI and Bradley (Sonya) Grout of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Ryan, Ross, Reed, Zachary, Connor, Trevor and Daxton Shohoney, Philip and Diane Grout and Evelyn Pagoria; and one sister, Judith (Robert) Sullivan. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Gerald Reed Grout will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, from 4 – 7:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr. Ripon, WI 54971.

Mass of Christian Burial for Gerald Reed Grout will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010, at 9:30 am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 217 Houston St. Ripon, WI 54971. Father Thomas H. McAlpine will officiate. A private inurnment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Ripon. Memorials may be given to, Green Lake Festival of Music, P.O. Box 569 Green Lake, WI 54941, Green Lake Conservancy Foundation, P.O. Box 52 Green Lake, WI 54941 and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 217 Houston St. Ripon, WI 54971.