Louis Gerencer

Louie Gerencer, 94, of Elkhart, Indiana passed away at his home on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Louie Gerencer was born on August 17, 1931, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Kalman and Rose (Fazekas) Gerencer. The family later moved to the Bailey, Michigan area, where he graduated from Grant High School. Louie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a tank driver from 1952 to 1954. After returning home, he worked as a truck driver for Michigan Transportation Co. In 1961, Louie married the love of his life, Gail (Wright) Gerencer. Soon after, the couple ventured to California for a few years, where Louie worked alongside an Army buddy doing lathe and plaster work. Eventually, they received the call that brought them back to the Midwest. In April of 1964, they began the adventure that would shape their future-Gerencer's Harley-Davidson. The business started with just two employees, Louie and Gail, and grew to more than 40 employees over the years, including their children and extended family members. Gerencer's Harley-Davidson operated for 42 years and, when it was sold in 2006, was known as one of the most respected, family-owned, award-winning Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country.

Louie is survived by his wife, Gail (Wright) Gerencer; daughters Gina (Jeff) Yoder, Laura (Rick) Kauffman, and Lisa (Tim) Frazier; and son Lou (Amanda) Gerencer; along with eight grandchildren: Brittany (Andy) Boren, Ken Yoder, Mackenzie (Mitch) Slaven, Jordan (Nick) Hooley, Hanah Gerencer, Charlie Gerencer, Koleman Gerencer, and Tyler Frazier.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Kalman Gerencer, Frank Gerencer, Rose (Gerencer) Hodits, Coleman Gerencer, Tony Gerencer, Kate (Gerencer) Rewalt, George Gerencer, Steve Gerencer, Marg (Gerencer) Puffer, William Gerencer, and Rudy Gerencer; and two grandchildren, Aaron and Sydney Frazier.

Louie was best known for his contributions to the motorcycle community-not only in the Michiana area, but nationwide. He began competing in hillclimb events in the 1950s and retired from the sport as a three-time AMA Pro National Hillclimb Champion. The Gerencer family holds a combined total of 12 AMA National Championships. Louie remains the only modern-day hillclimber to have been sponsored by the Harley- Davidson Motor Company. In 1967, Louie formed the Harley-Davidson Pro Hillclimb Team, which carried on his winning legacy through the early 2000s, well beyond his own retirement from racing. Throughout the years, Louie's influence was felt across many areas of the motorsports world. He was a member of the Goshen Ironhorsemen MC, served as President of the AMA Pro Hillclimbers Association, sponsored the first Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) chapter in the state of Indiana, was a member of the Michigan Harley- Davidson Dealers Association, led a multi-year Top 10 Harley-Davidson dealership, and was a noted inspiration to many.

Louie's passion for motorsports continued well beyond his retirement. He enjoyed riding his Harleys with friends, snowmobiling-an annual winter passion-and trail riding in his side-by-side up north and out west in the mountains. He especially loved watching his son and grandsons compete in various forms of racing and spending time playing golf with friends and his grandsons. Louie and Gail's adventures took them from rural Michigan to the West Coast, back home to the Midwest and through their accomplishments with Harley- Davidson, around the world!

Visitation will be from 3 to 7pm Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 and 1 hour before the 10am Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1331 N. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46514.  Online condolences for Louie may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com