Jerome E. "Jerry" Ertenberg

Jerry Ertenberg was born December 20, 1946, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away on March 15, 2026 due to complications from dementia.

The youngest of Earl and Clara Ertenberg's four children, Jerry was a self-described "troublemaker", with a love for fast cars and a tendency to challenge authority from an early age. As he grew into adulthood, Jerry was fortunate enough to experience love twice. He first married his high school sweetheart, Joanne McGinn, and together they joyfully welcomed two daughters, Julie and Jill. After Joanne's passing, Jerry found love again with his devoted wife, June. Through their marriage, he also embraced June's son, Arthur, whom he loved and raised as his own.

A man with a deep love for nature, animals, and the land, Jerry taught himself how to farm thanks to his curiosity and sheer determination. He built a life and raised his family on their hobby farm in Hartford, Wisconsin, and in later years enjoyed working the land on his and June's beloved "compound" in Hancock, WI.

Although his formal education ended with high school, Jerry remained a lifelong learner. He could take apart and fix nearly anything, read voraciously, and maintained a deep interest in history and the natural world. His fiercely independent spirit was matched only by his ridiculous sense of humor - traits he passed on to his children.

Jerry is survived by his wife, June; his children: Julie Schoshinski (Scott), Arthur Ladish (Carol), and Jill Dreier (Chad); and his eight grandchildren who knew him as "Granddad". His sister, Sue Fredenberg, will hold him in her heart as well.

Among his belongings, Jerry kept a passage from Robert Louis Stevenson that resonated deeply with him: "Here lies one who meant well, tried a little, failed much: - surely that may be his epitaph of which he need not be ashamed."

His family could not agree more.

We love you, Dad, and we will miss you with all our hearts.

A private service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held later this year. For those who would like to honor his memory, donations to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) or the Dementia Society of America are appreciated.