Jerome “Jerry” R. Laudolff Sr.
Jerome “Jerry” R. Laudolff Sr., 75, of Saint Cloud, Wisconsin peacefully passed on Friday, September 2, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous battle with kidney disease and served as an inspiration to all who knew and cared for him.
Jerry was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on May 29, 1947 to the late Sylvester and Margurite (Jarchow) Laudolff. He graduated from Campbellsport High School in 1965 and was drafted by the United States Army in 1966. Jerry proudly served his country and was stationed in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 before he was honorably discharged with the rank of E5. On November 16, 1968, Jerry married Dianne Schmitz at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe, Wisconsin.
Jerry was a dedicated employee at Mercury Marine from 1968 until his retirement in 2009. He was well known by his fellow employees in Plant 15 as “Rookie”. He worked hard to build a great motor and encouraged everyone to do the same. In his spare time, Jerry spent many hours working on remodeling projects, farming, and gardening. He enjoyed camping, traveling, bowling and playing cards especially cribbage. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed teaching them the many life lessons he had learned on this merry-go-round of life. Jerry’s strong faith and giving spirit guided his life. He took pleasure in helping others with a smile on his face and encouraged his family and friends to persist in the face of struggles, and to achieve their highest potential.
Memories of Jerry will be cherished and celebrated by survivors including his wife of 53 years – the pride and joy of his life, Dianne (Schmitz) Laudolff; his four children, Jerry Laudolff Jr. (Michele Hanson), James (Barb) Laudolff, Jeff (Shelly) Laudolff, Dawn Webb (Kyle Kraus); thirteen grandchildren, Heather (Justin) Reh, David (Brenleh) Laudolff, Jamie (Vikki) Laudolff, Joe Laudolff, Luke Laudolff, Cora (Jonah) Mason, Chloe (Caleb) Pearce, Sophia Laudolff (Titus Pearce), Jerod Laudolff (Lilly Feider), Austin Laudolff (Emma Thelen), Abigail Laudolff, Isaac Webb (Taryn Reese), Brenden Webb; six great-grandchildren Madison, Mason, and Avery Reh, Hazel, Phoenix, and Ziva Laudolff; two brothers Sylvester (Valerie) Laudolff, Richard (Carol) Laudolff; three sisters, Barbara Koerner, Sandra (Kenny) Creek-Larkin, Margaret (John) Class; three sisters-in-law Betty (Dan) Ennis, Rosemary (James) Guelig, Patricia (David) Toshner and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Sylvester and Margurite (Jarchow) Laudolff; step-mother Phyllis (Carney) Laudolff; mother and father-in-law, Lester and Viola (Buechel) Schmitz; son-in-law, Ryan Webb; four sisters Elizabeth “Betty” Trimble, Susan Steffes, Mary Laudolff, and Martha Laudolff; and one brother-in-law Edward Steffes Sr.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe, Wisconsin. The family welcomes relatives and friends to the church for visitation from 2:00 P.M. until 3:30 P.M. The praying of the rosary will begin at 3:30 P.M. followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00 P.M. At the conclusion of Mass, burial with military honors provided by American Legion Post #478 will be in the parish cemetery. Family and friends can share tributes, memories and condolences at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.
The Laudolff family extends a special thank you to Lakeland Care; Greenfield Rehab, Almost Family, Dr. B. Pasiuk and the Fond du Lac Dialysis Center team, Julie Schneider, Jerry’s long time primary physician and the rest of his care team at SSM Health. A special thank you to the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice (Sheboygan Falls, WI), ensuring Jerry received a Veteran pinning and homemade quilt with a personalized certificate, along with all the support that was received. A special thank you to Michelle Hemb, for the support and care Jerry received during the last days of his journey.