Geraldine R. Milhous

Geraldine Ruth “Gerry” Laidlaw Milhous, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, missionary, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 2026, in New Haven, Connecticut. Gerry was born on August 28, 1937, in Inglewood, California.

She was the beloved wife of Kenneth E. Milhous; mother of Kenneth R. Milhous and his wife, Debora, and Gary Milhous and his wife, Kuniko; loving grandmother to Chloe, Phoebe “Bee,” Miho, and Eddie; and great-grandmother to Benjamin and Elena. She was predeceased by her sister, Patricia “Pat” Mennenga, and her brother, Charles Allen Hollenbach.

Perhaps the word that best describes Gerry’s life is servant. Throughout her life, Gerry quietly and faithfully served the people God placed around her. She served her husband and family, her churches, missionaries and ministry partners, neighbors and friends, and countless people whose lives crossed hers.

Early in their marriage, Gerry served alongside Ken as a pastor’s wife at First Baptist Church of Fosston, Minnesota, where they ministered for approximately two and a half years.

God then called Gerry and Ken to Japan, where they served as missionaries for 40 years. Together they were involved in church planting and ministry in Hashimoto, Nagoya, and Hamamatsu. Gerry’s ministry was often deeply personal. She listened, encouraged, counseled, welcomed people into their home, and faithfully walked alongside people through the joys and struggles of life.

Her servant’s heart was especially evident following the devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan. During the summer of 2011, Gerry served alongside those ministering to people affected by the disaster, helping care for and support volunteers engaged in relief ministry in the Tohoku region.

When Gerry and Ken eventually returned to the United States, her service did not end. For approximately 20 years, their retirement community in Cheshire, Connecticut became another place of ministry. Gerry continued caring for people, encouraging neighbors and friends, and finding practical ways to serve those around her.

Gerry did not need a title or a formal position in order to minister. Serving others was simply part of who she was.

Her life was shaped by her love for Jesus Christ and her desire that others would know Him. Whether serving her family, welcoming someone into her home, helping a missionary, encouraging a struggling friend, or quietly meeting a practical need, Gerry demonstrated her faith through a lifetime of service.

Her family grieves her loss deeply, but we grieve with hope. We are thankful that the Savior whom Gerry loved and served throughout her life has now welcomed her home.

On Saturday, October 10th, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Elim Park Place, Nelson Hall, 150 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire, CT 06410. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring the lifelong work Gerry loved to do in Japan through the Converge Japan Initiative (the continuation of their mission work): Give to the Japan Initiative in memory of Gerry Milhous. To give a gift by check, mail it to Converge, Department #9930, P.O. Box 850001, Orlando, FL 32885. Please include project #640696 in the memo line of your check. To send condolences, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.