Georgia Lee (Gerlinger) Buchta

Passed away with the utmost dignity, grace, and clarity of mind after a brief illness on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the age of 96. Beloved mother of Robert Miles Buchta and William George Buchta (Lori Campbell). Loving grandmother of John Miles Buchta (Kyle), Claire Marie Buchta Rosean (Tim), Margaret Ann Westermann (Rick), and Julie Christine Buchta. Dear great grandmother of Graham Miles Buchta, August Franklin Westermann, Olivia Lynn Rosean, Rose Eileen Westermann, and Tucker Lee Buchta. Preceded in death by her husband of 46 years Franklin Miles Buchta, her parents Walter and Margaret Gerlinger, and her brother Donald Gerlinger. She will be dearly missed by numerous other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held in the spring of 2022 at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. She will be laid to rest with her beloved Franklin at a private family service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee or The Congregational Home in Brookfield.

A special thank you to Gina Osell, MSW, The Congregational Home staff, and Legacy Hospice nurse, Aleah, for the outstanding support and care they provided to Georgia.

Georgia was a remarkable woman who no doubt would have been a corporate CEO had opportunities been more prevalent when she graduated with a BA in Economics from Northwestern University in 1948, Phi Beta Kappa. She was a proud member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, serving as President and Treasurer of her Chapter, and she went on to hold various national and local positions, including National Finance Director. She was the best athlete in the family. Period. In high school, she was an avid swimmer, basketball player, tennis player, and golfer. She took her golf and tennis skills far into her adult life, despite badly injuring her knee in the 1960’s hiking in the mountains in Colorado. She played golf and tennis into her ‘80’s, though she referred to her tennis performance at that time as “statue tennis."  She would hit the ball if it came to her. She was a caring and understanding mother, as her sons would attest that she had to be. As a provider, dinner was at 6:00 every night, not 6:01.  She spent many years doing volunteer work, and most dear to her heart was The Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee.

The Northwestern Wildcats, Packers ,Cubs, and Brewers all lost a big fan

Georgia never complained or cursed a day in her life, always treated others with respect and a welcoming smile, and made us laugh without ever knowing how truly witty she really was.

 In short, 96 years very well lived.

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