Gerald Riegert

Gerald (Jerry) Thomas Riegert of Tilden, WI, died peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2022, having lived 85 years, 8 months and 21 days.

Jerry was born April 17, 1936, in Stetsonville, WI, the second of seven children born to Joseph and Irene (Schneider) Riegert. He grew up on a farm in the town of Deer Creek. He enjoyed going to school and participated in intermural volleyball, basketball, and football. After graduating from Medford High School in 1954, enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA.

The day after Christmas at the age of eighteen, he was aboard the USNS General Nelson M. Walker with 5,000 troops and left port sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. After 17 days, the ship arrived in Kobe, Japan. Boarded a train and arrived in Tokyo, Japan, then by truck to Camp McGill where he was stationed for the duration of his service. He was assigned to 3rd shore party battalion, a unit of the 3rd Marines division, and his main responsibility was ship to shore communications. He recalled his time in the military as a valuable experience.
After honorable discharge, he returned to Wisconsin in 1957 and built basements for about a year. He then applied to the Medford Telephone Company and was hired right away. He “saw an angel” when he met Kathleen McDonald for the first time. They were united in marriage in July 1960. In 1967, he started a 31-year career as an artificial inseminator for Midwest Breeders/21st Century Genetics. He moved to the Cornell area with his wife, Kathy and two daughters, Renee, and Roxanne. They purchased a home in Cornell in 1968. In the early 70’s they owned and operated the Cornell Dry Cleaners.

Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Cornell Ambulance crew. He was Snowmobile Club President and participated in league bowling. He also taught boaters safety classes. He enjoyed dinner and drinks with the many good friends in Cornell. Jerry and Kathy loved to dance, were good partners and fun to watch on the dance floor. He and his family attended Holy Cross Catholic Church.

In 1970, another daughter, Kelly arrived, and it was also the year he purchased a Lund run-a-bout with a 50 hp Evinrude. Countless hours on Lake Holcombe with infinite patience, he taught his daughters how to waterski. He devoted as much time and energy as needed to anyone who wanted to learn, and would be in the boat all day pulling anyone who wanted to go.

In the decade of the 70’s, summers were filled with boating and camping with his family as much as possible. Memorable family vacations included driving to Disneyland in California, South Dakota, Michigan and boating on the St Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Winters brought firing up the 5 Arctic Cats and leading his family and friends out on the trails for large group rides that included bon fires and hot dogs.

He encouraged his daughters to participate in sports, school, and community activities, and rarely missed a game or event.

After enjoying Lake Holcombe for many years, they decided to build there and moved in 1982 after Renee and Roxanne graduated from High School. He began to have more interest in enjoying the lake on pontoons. He also acquired a houseboat and worked to make it his own. Sturgeon fishing in the fall became a tradition and cultivated in Roxanne a sturgeon fishing passion and a special father/daughter bond.

Jerry was an avid photographer. He was often taking photos or filming with a video camera, capturing his family and friends in the moment. He had an appreciation for beautiful scenery and wildlife.

He had a curiosity and affection for animals of all kinds. The family dogs over the years held a special place in his heart.
He cherished extended family and looked forward to reunions. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing Sheepshead, Euchre, 500 and other card games with family and friends. Jerry also became an excellent Blackjack player.

In the 1980’s, grandchildren started to arrive. Unfortunately, back pain and surgeries did too. He spent the one summer dedicated to rehabilitating and strengthening his back by walking three miles a day at sunrise and swimming across the bay back to home.

In 1994, to lessen Kathy’s drive time to work, the lake house was sold, and they downsized to a home in Tilden, WI. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) began to affect Jerry’s eyesight in 1998. By 1999, vision was lost in one eye and by 2001 he became legally blind.

After losing much of his sight, but retaining some peripheral vision, he continued to do some wood working in the garage, building bird and squirrel houses while working part time at Wonder Wash in Chippewa Falls as an attendant. He enjoyed helping people with their car wash.

In 2006, Jerry attended classes for 6 weeks at the Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center in Chicago, IL, and achieved confidence and independence. He learned how to use a computer and keyboard, send email, navigate gadgets to maximize his remaining vision, do household chores and learned to cook and bake. His specialty was cherry pie. The final test included dropping him off in downtown Chicago where he had to cross busy intersections, get to public transportation, and navigate his way back to the Blind Center. He returned to Hines once again 2015 to brush up on his skills.
Jerry survived major surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm around 2010. He slowed down as health issues started taking their toll, including severe heart arrythmia and a mild stroke in 2018. For an active guy, it was devastating to be confined to the house and completely dependent on others. Depression was imminent. His stubborn ornery nature became more dominant, but his good heart far outweighed any shortcomings.

In September 2019, Jerry participated in a veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, DC with his daughter, Kelly as his guardian. The day included tours of the Lincoln, Vietnam War, Korean War, Air Force and Pentagon 9/11 Memorials, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Marine Iwo Jima Memorial. It was a highlight of his year.
Kathy’s health declined and she passed in March 2021. Jerry’s grief was immense. In the months that followed he wanted to continue living in his home with the help of family. In July 2021 after a cardiology appointment that sent him for an x-ray, lung cancer was diagnosed. In August 2021, he developed a bleed in his knee requiring hospitalization, and he moved into the State of Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls, WI.

His final days were spent reminiscing about his life. Jerry could be described as charismatic and charming, a loyal friend, quick to help and a devoted family man and provider. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. A fun-loving guy who sought joy in experiences, present in the moment and in his younger years would often exclaim “This is Really Livin!”

Gerald is survived by three daughters: Renee Wurzer of St Louis, MO; Roxanne (George) Komanec of Bloomer, WI; Kelly Thompson of Chippewa Falls, WI; seven grandchildren; Amanda, Amy (Mike), Bryan (Kathryn), Alexandra, Jerald, Kennedy and Cody; Eight great-grandchildren; Avery, Cannon, Jaxyn, Milany, Abygail, Rexlynn, Vivienne and Fynleigh.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Irene Riegert; wife, Kathleen; granddaughter, Krystal; son-in-law Leon Wurzer; and sister, Lois Wimmer.

Celebration of Life - Friday, March 4, 2022, at St Peter Catholic Church in Tilden, WI.
Visitation from 10:30-11:30 am with Mass and luncheon to follow.

Interment for Gerald and Kathleen Riegert will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Condolences may be sent to: PO Box 265 Bloomer, WI 54724