Gerry “Doc” Tolan was born Sept 10, 1931 in Akron Ohio, but grew up and considered “home”, Green Bay, Wisconsin. He passed on to the Lord on December 19, 2020 at his home in Sierra Vista, Arizona, with his wife Jan Parker Tolan by his side.

“Doc” lead an extraordinary life, serving in the US Army in France, then pursuing his true defining passion- Medicine, launching a remarkable 50 year career, especially devoted to emergency services, and comprehensive healthcare in rural Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. He was an accomplished diagnostician and saved many lives through his skill and dedication. Earlier in his life he pursued a pilots license, and then later in his career he got his helicopter license in order to fly to the clinics and hospitals where he provided top notch medical care. He was devoted to the UW Badgers and the Green Bay Packers

His other varied passions included dogs (especially his loyal “Max”), blueberry picking, golfing, reading, history, cooking and entertaining at his beloved “Tolan’s Rock Ridge Ranch”, and traveling. Especially traveling to Ireland, to Canada fishing with all of his boys, and any site of historical significance.

There was never a boring moment, whether it was investing in a race horse, starting a beef cattle business, or flocking a 25 foot Christmas tree for the living room…He was a “people person”, and a story teller who kept people entertained.  He perfected the grilled fillet Mignon and the gin martini. He was a man about the world and people knew him no matter where he would go. In 2006 he was honored as Rush City Area Citizen of the year.

God and family were everything to him. He was especially close with his 7 children, and will be always remembered by his big family, his many friends, and patients. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Millie Tolan, his brothers Frankie, Thomas (Red), and sister Mary Ann, and an infant son.

He is survived by his wife Jan, his 7 children, Lisa, Catherine, Christopher, Daniel, Gerald Joseph Jr (Joe), Sarah, and Stephan. Step children Allison and Jon. Grand children Brad Rasmussen, Ben and Abby Sobol, McKenzie, Claire, and Grace Tolan, Taylor Horsager, Gerald Joseph III (Joe) and Anna Tolan, TJ Richmond, Alec and Erica Clouse, Amelia and Payton Brokaw and Estelle Zedan, Great Grandchildren, Braiden, Beckett and Branton Rasmussen and his brother, Patrick Tolan.

A private mass of Christian Burial will be at St Dominic’s Catholic Church in Frederic, Wisconsin. He will be laid to rest at St. Dominic’s Catholic Cemetery in Frederic, Wisconsin.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.

Last Update: Dec 22, 2020 6:09 am CST