Gerald A. Wridt

1945 - 2025

Gerald (Jerry) A. Wridt

November 22, 1945 - July 16, 2025

RACINE - Gerald (Jerry) A. Wridt, 79, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie after a 3-month battle with kidney failure.

Jerry was born in Racine on November 22, 1945, to Alfred and Emma (nee: Kristopeit) Wridt. He graduated from Park High School in 1963 and furthered his education at Gateway Technical College. He was a designer at Snap-On Tools, retiring in 2004 with 10 patents. He proudly served in the United States Army in Viet Nam from October 1966 to October 1967.

In his younger years, Jerry was in the Racine Kilties. He enjoyed capturing life's images through photography and expressed his creativity by drawing many cartoon characters for his family and friends. He had a lifelong love of music and musicals. Jerry was most known for his unrivaled passion for golf, which included scoring 5 holes in one. He enjoyed his 50+ years of Saturday golf at Johnsons Park and his many golf trips, especially visiting Bay Hill Club and meeting Arnold Palmer.

Jerry married Sally Sabo on April 17, 1971. Their 54 years of marriage included 11 years of snowbirding in Florida. Jerry enjoyed frequent hikes with family and was able to hike the Grand Canyon. He was a staunch supporter of his daughters throughout life's ups and downs and was eager to cheer on his daughters and grandchildren in their music and sporting activities. He and Sally brought joy to his granddaughters by jumping in the autumn leaves together every year. He always had quick wit to add to any conversation.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Sally Wridt; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Brian) Kortendick and Karen (Nick) Schmit; granddaughters, Hannah and Eliana Kortendick; step-grandsons, Nick Schmit and Alex Alberghetti-Schmit; brother-in-law, Alex (Beth) Sabo; nephews, Michael (Lisa) Wridt and Mark Wridt; niece, Pamela (Robert Sauve) Wridt; extended family and dear friends from Racine and Florida. A special thank you to his friend, Dan Garamone.

Visitation for Jerry will be held at the funeral home on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Service will follow at 6 p.m. Memorials to Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, 1609 Yout Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53404, have been suggested.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Ascension, Froedert and especially his favorite care givers at Hospice House, Amy, Zelma and Sheila.

Purath-Strand

Funeral Home & Crematory

3915 Douglas Avenue

Racine, WI 53402

(262) 639-8000

www.purath-strand.com