Geraldine A. “Gerri” Gallagher, 81, of Cherokee passed away on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Unity Point St. Luke's in Sioux City.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be held at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Gerri was born on Dec. 10, 1944, at Reedsburg, Wis., to Adelbert and Gynith (Abbs) Hoff. She graduated from North Central High School. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1963. She attended University of Northern Iowa and earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching. She was an extremely talented artist and worked as an art teacher in the Fort Dodge School District, Quimby-Washta School District, and then retired from South O'Brien Schools in 2001.
She was united in marriage to Frank X. Gallagher on June 19, 1978, at Manly.
Gerri loved traveling with Frank around the country, especially to New York to see his family, enjoyed all things football and knew everything about her favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. She spent lots of time in her studio drawing and being artistic. She loved anything to do with bears.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank in 2022, and her brother Danny.
Gerri is survived by her son Shawn (Rebecca) Gallagher of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren: Ryan (Jacelyn) Swanigan, Sarah and Faith Swanigan; siblings: Charlene (Dennis) Hauser of Manly; David (Beckey) Hoff of Aurora, Ill.; Dale Hoff of Sun Valley, Calif.; sister-in-law Lanetta Hoff; also many nieces and nephews.
