Gerald "Jerry" Lowell Efferding

Gerald Lowell Efferding Gerald "Jerry" Lowell Efferding, age 65, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at the UW Health University Hospital in Madison following complications from several health conditions. He most recently resided in Platteville. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Gerald was born on January 25, 1955, in Maquoketa, Iowa to Richard and Evelyn (Riggs) Efferding. In 1960 the family moved to Belmont, Wisconsin and then to Platteville. Gerald attended Platteville High School where he participated in wrestling. He graduated in 1973. During his high school years he worked at neighboring farms during the summers. He completed an auto mechanics course at Southwest Tech in Fennimore. He worked as a mechanic at several positions in the Madison area. His most recent job before his illness was as a maintenance mechanic at the Walgreen's Warehouse in Windsor. Gerald married Cheryl L Stone in 1985 in Madison, WI where they have two daughters, Nicole and Megan. Gerald had a passion for all things automotive and mechanical. His vast knowledge and racing skill led him into stock car and go-kart racing. He participated in races all around Wisconsin and other states, often returning with trophies in hand. His "hobby" was building and rebuilding high-performance engines which could not be beat in races. Gerald was good-hearted and often lent his mechanical skills to family and friends with auto mechanics problems. He was a dedicated Packers fan. And he rarely missed any racing event on TV. He loved a good laugh. He was a man of few words, but he couldn't pass up a rousing political discussion. He had a long string of feline friends, with Frankie being his most recent pet. He is survived by his two loving daughters, Nicole (Paulo) Gutierrez of Madison and Megan Efferding (Brad Meade) of McFarland. The mother of his children, Cheryl Efferding of McFarland. One step-grandson, Adrian Gutierrez, of Madison. His mother, Evelyn Efferding, of Dubuque, Iowa. Two sisters, Janice Julson, of Watertown, and Victoria Riggs, of Arlington, South Dakota. Nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. One aunt, Iona Knight, of Richland Center, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard. One brother, Kevin. His grandparents, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be missed but never forgotten. We will live to honor his life and passions in racing.