Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1939
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Gerald Paffenroth Obituary
Gerald Lee "Jerry" Paffenroth
March 19, 1939 - October 16, 2025
Gerald Lee Paffenroth, 86, of Waunakee, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born on March 19, 1939, in Oshkosh, WI, the son of the late William and Beatrice (Baier) Pfaffenroth.
He first married Patricia Ann Bartow on October 24, 1959, in Oshkosh. They are blessed with three children together, James (special friend Paula Moebius) of Mineral Point, WI, Kathy (Tim) Deneen of Marshall, WI, and Scott (Larissa) of Hampton, VA. Pat and Jerry divorced in 1974.
He married Monica (Kirch) McGowan on July 21, 1975. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary this summer. Monica has four children of her own, whom they raised together, Joan (Curt) Merlin, of Cambridge, WI; Michael (deceased), Patrick (Carol) McGowan, of Lodi, WI, and Daniel (Deborah) McGowan, of Waunakee, WI.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; in-laws George and Frances Kirch; sister in-law, Margaret Anderson; stepson, Michael McGowan; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Paffenroth.
He is survived by his wife, Monica; and four siblings, Darlene (Dennis) Wiegman, of Mesa, AZ, William (Maureen) Pfaffenroth, of Oshkosh, WI, Thomas (Cindy) Paffenroth of Oshkosh, WI, and Steve (Deborah) Paffenroth of Greenville, WI; sister in-law, Virginia Scholtz, Ruth (Byron) Halvorson, Susan (Wayne) Thibado; brothers-in-law, George (Kelli) Kirch Jr. Raymond (Rebecca) Kirch, Tony (Coleen) Kirch, and Wesley Anderson; also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer (Adam) Barlow, of Poynette, WI, Amber (Tom) Stoltenburg, of Fall River, WI Kasey (William) Baughn, of Beaver Dam, WI, Christopher Paffenroth, of Eugene, OR., Jennifer (special friend Robert Herold) Berry, of Watertown, WI, Elizabeth (Fiancé Justin) Paffenroth, of San Diego, CA, Mary Elizabeth Paffenroth and Thomas Paffenroth of Madison, WI; 11 great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren, Ali McGowan, Jenna McGowan, Sarah (Ben) Mains, Carly (Jack Starkebaum) McGowan, Abby (Niko Soto) McGowan, Jack McGowan, Molly (Matthew) Killen, Kate Merlin; and two step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his first wife, Patricia Weinsehaus, of Mauston, WI, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1956 and from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1969, with a degree in biology. He used that degree to grow a large apple and grape orchard. He loved the land that he lived on and was always growing something.
Jerry worked a few jobs during his life. But he worked for over 30 years for the State of Wisconsin in the maintenance department as a restoration specialist when he retired.
Hunting, fishing, and cooking were his passions. He hunted and fished all over the United States and Canada. But fishing was his favorite. He was the Past President of the Yahara Fishing Club, a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Past President of the Dane County Conservation League. He taught all his kids, his youngest brother, and most of his grandchildren how to hunt and fish. He also loved to cook and try new recipes.
Jerry was a veteran of the Army National Guard and the Army. He was pulled up to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was immensely proud to be a veteran.
He was an avid Wisconsin Badger, Packer, Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks fan.
Jerry was affiliated with Peace Lutheran Church in Waunakee. His visitation is on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church, with the funeral following the visitation at 11 a.m. Military honors and lunch will immediately follow the service. Private burial for immediate family only in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Monona, WI.
May you always catch the fish for which you are searching. We love you, Dad.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." -Doug Larson
In lieu of flowers, please donate to two of Dad's favorite organizations:
The Yahara Fishing Club- mail donations to the address below:
PO Box 259803
Madison, Wisconsin 53725 or to The Dane County Conservation League, https://www.dccl.org/
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com
Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI
6088494513
March 19, 1939 - October 16, 2025
Gerald Lee Paffenroth, 86, of Waunakee, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born on March 19, 1939, in Oshkosh, WI, the son of the late William and Beatrice (Baier) Pfaffenroth.
He first married Patricia Ann Bartow on October 24, 1959, in Oshkosh. They are blessed with three children together, James (special friend Paula Moebius) of Mineral Point, WI, Kathy (Tim) Deneen of Marshall, WI, and Scott (Larissa) of Hampton, VA. Pat and Jerry divorced in 1974.
He married Monica (Kirch) McGowan on July 21, 1975. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary this summer. Monica has four children of her own, whom they raised together, Joan (Curt) Merlin, of Cambridge, WI; Michael (deceased), Patrick (Carol) McGowan, of Lodi, WI, and Daniel (Deborah) McGowan, of Waunakee, WI.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; in-laws George and Frances Kirch; sister in-law, Margaret Anderson; stepson, Michael McGowan; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Paffenroth.
He is survived by his wife, Monica; and four siblings, Darlene (Dennis) Wiegman, of Mesa, AZ, William (Maureen) Pfaffenroth, of Oshkosh, WI, Thomas (Cindy) Paffenroth of Oshkosh, WI, and Steve (Deborah) Paffenroth of Greenville, WI; sister in-law, Virginia Scholtz, Ruth (Byron) Halvorson, Susan (Wayne) Thibado; brothers-in-law, George (Kelli) Kirch Jr. Raymond (Rebecca) Kirch, Tony (Coleen) Kirch, and Wesley Anderson; also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer (Adam) Barlow, of Poynette, WI, Amber (Tom) Stoltenburg, of Fall River, WI Kasey (William) Baughn, of Beaver Dam, WI, Christopher Paffenroth, of Eugene, OR., Jennifer (special friend Robert Herold) Berry, of Watertown, WI, Elizabeth (Fiancé Justin) Paffenroth, of San Diego, CA, Mary Elizabeth Paffenroth and Thomas Paffenroth of Madison, WI; 11 great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren, Ali McGowan, Jenna McGowan, Sarah (Ben) Mains, Carly (Jack Starkebaum) McGowan, Abby (Niko Soto) McGowan, Jack McGowan, Molly (Matthew) Killen, Kate Merlin; and two step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his first wife, Patricia Weinsehaus, of Mauston, WI, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1956 and from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1969, with a degree in biology. He used that degree to grow a large apple and grape orchard. He loved the land that he lived on and was always growing something.
Jerry worked a few jobs during his life. But he worked for over 30 years for the State of Wisconsin in the maintenance department as a restoration specialist when he retired.
Hunting, fishing, and cooking were his passions. He hunted and fished all over the United States and Canada. But fishing was his favorite. He was the Past President of the Yahara Fishing Club, a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Past President of the Dane County Conservation League. He taught all his kids, his youngest brother, and most of his grandchildren how to hunt and fish. He also loved to cook and try new recipes.
Jerry was a veteran of the Army National Guard and the Army. He was pulled up to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was immensely proud to be a veteran.
He was an avid Wisconsin Badger, Packer, Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks fan.
Jerry was affiliated with Peace Lutheran Church in Waunakee. His visitation is on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church, with the funeral following the visitation at 11 a.m. Military honors and lunch will immediately follow the service. Private burial for immediate family only in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Monona, WI.
May you always catch the fish for which you are searching. We love you, Dad.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." -Doug Larson
In lieu of flowers, please donate to two of Dad's favorite organizations:
The Yahara Fishing Club- mail donations to the address below:
PO Box 259803
Madison, Wisconsin 53725 or to The Dane County Conservation League, https://www.dccl.org/
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com
Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI
6088494513
Published by Madison.com on Oct. 22, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Paffenroth
Sponsored by Cress Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Waunakee.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Gerald Paffenroth's name
Memorial Events
for Gerald Paffenroth
Funeral services provided by:
Cress Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Waunakee5785 Hwy. Q, Waunakee, WI 53597
How to support Gerald's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Gerald Paffenroth's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
