Jerome "Jerry" Koene

Jerome (Jerry) Koene, age 94, of Plymouth, died peacefully on March 29, 2026. He was born in Kohler, Wisconsin, on August 4, 1931, the son of the late Herbert Koene and Norma (Roepke) Koene.

Jerry graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War from 1951–1954 and was stationed overseas in Chuncheon, Korea. There, he worked as a control tower operator, playing a vital role in directing air operations under challenging and often dangerous conditions.

Returning from Korea, he was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, and married the love of his life, Jean (Deicher) Koene, on September 12, 1954. The two had met at the legendary Mike Tenn's in Sheboygan Falls on April 9, 1950. After fulfilling his duty to the Air Force, they moved back to Wisconsin, where he was employed in Milwaukee at Mitchell Field in the control tower.

Looking for work closer to home in Plymouth, he took a position as a counselor at the Kettle Moraine Boys School. He was also a physical education instructor at Holy Name Grade School in Sheboygan, where he successfully coached boys' basketball teams to many undefeated seasons. Jerry was the recreation director for the City of Plymouth for five years, where he was instrumental in starting women's softball, the Junior Golf League, Family Night at Plymouth High School, and was a co-founding member of the Plymouth Junior Football League.

Jerry was a WIAA official in several sports for over 50 years. He coached many youth sports teams, and in 2001, he was inducted into the Plymouth Youth Athletics Association Hall of Fame. For 30 years, Jerry was employed as a U.S. Postal Service worker until his retirement in 1991.

Jerry and Jean spent many winters in Arizona enjoying the sunshine. As avid skiers, they took trips to Vail and Breckenridge. Jerry participated in many sports throughout his lifetime. He was a wide receiver for the Sheboygan RedWings. He also played on numerous softball teams, with Jean cheering him on for many years, including Plymouth's city league until he was 73 years old and senior softball out of Elgin, Illinois, until he was 82 years of age, where they placed second in the Senior World Series as the "Sargento Gents."

Jerry was proud of the fact that he hit a ball off the famous Eddie Feigner, "King and His Court." He also had two holes-in-one-one at Town and Country and the other at Riverdale.

He also had the honor of visiting Washington, D.C., with other veterans for the VetsRoll trip.

Jerry had been an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth. He worked as the cemetery sexton, served as a Vincentian with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, drove for Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Rocky Knoll for many years, and was a member of the Plymouth Lions Club. He was also an active member of VFW Post 5612 and American Legion of Sheboygan Falls Post 149.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (Deicher) Koene, Plymouth; daughters Susan Noordyk, Adell, and Sharon (Tom) Eigenberger, Plymouth; son Tom (Mari) Koene, Green Bay; daughter-in-law Debra Koene, Plymouth; and sister-in-law Dorothea Koene.

He is further survived by 11 grandchildren: Matt (Joy) Noordyk, Kiel; Cassie (Peter) Raether, Utah; Ethan (Julia) Noordyk, Green Bay; Tate (Jennifer) Noordyk, Greenbush; Jordan (Kathleen) Koene, California; Andrew (Grettel) Koene, Texas; James Koene, Colorado; Jonathan Koene, Ohio; Joshua (Trisha) Thomas, Fond du Lac; Sage (Drew) Duncan, Brookfield; and Mira Koene, Plymouth; as well as 15 great-grandchildren.

He is further survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Florence Deicher; his son, Jim Koene; brothers Norb Koene (Ann), Robert Koene Sr., and Kenny Koene; sister Angeline; brother-in-law O.D. Hayden; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Mary Deicher.

Visitation will be held at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from noon–3:00 pm; with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00pm. Father Subi Thomas will officiate. Inurnment and Military Rites will take place immediately following the service at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Plymouth, Wisconsin.

All who knew Jerry are welcome to join the family in celebrating his life and sharing memories and stories.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry's name to the Plymouth Youth Athletics Association.

The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.

A special thank you goes out to our caregivers-Robin, Lindsay, Paula, Mona, and Becky. Thank you for the kindness, patience, and dignity you showed our dad every day. Your care meant more to our family than we can ever express.

We would also like to thank Imelda and the other Briarwood neighbors for their support. A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful nursing staff from Sharon Richardson Hospice for their care.