Jerome L. Stefaniak

"Jerome" "Jerry" "Mr. S" "Big Jer" passed away on Sunday August 24, at his Senior Living apartment from heart failure, just 14 days after celebrating his 90th Birthday.
Born August 10, 1935 on the family farm in the Town of Chase (Oconto Co) WI to the late Louis and Alice (Piechocki) Stefaniak. They moved to 15th St, Milwaukee when he was a young boy. He graduated from South Division High School, Class of 1953. He met the love of his life, Phyllis (Cypcar), at the Blue Canary Dance Hall. Many dances later they married on October 5, 1957. Jerry entered the US Army and was stationed at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri for a short time. He attended Tech School and became a Mechanical Engineer.

Jerry and Phyllis lived on 60th St in Greenfield where they had 4 wonderful children, Debi (Jeff) Maxfield, Denise (Gary) Krolnik, Donna (Brad) Brooks, and Scott Stefaniak (Nicole). They later moved to the house on Park Ave in New Berlin where their children learned many valuable life skills such as cutting grass, trimming bushes, cleaning windows, washing cars, ironing shirts and cleaning the house. As life goes on and their children married he was Blessed with four grandchildren, Jake (MaKenzie) Brooks, Logan (Amanda) Brooks, Melody (Jesse) Brown and Grace Stefaniak. Jerry was also fortunate to be able to spend time with two great-grandchildren Emily (5) and Isla (2)

Jerry worked hard for his family starting his career at Cutler Hammer (EATON) then moving on to Bucyrus Erie (Catapiller), Morgen Design and finished with his semi retirement employment with the Brookfield Park and Rec mowing lawns. A job he truly enjoyed. After the death of Phyllis he moved to Regency Senior Living where he ran the woodshop in which he treated like a job opening the shop everyday at 10:00AM till the day of his passing. Jerry was a man of many talents. He was often called upon by many friends and family for his Handyman/Craftsman skills including lawn cutting on Donna's farm.

In his younger days he played softball on the men's softball work league. He enjoyed family and friend vacations to places such as Snipe Lake Resort WI, Oconto Falls NC, Panama City FL, Sugar Mountain, NC, Phoenix, AZ, camping in Door Count WI and wintering in Kaneohe, HI along with many other places. He was fortunate to have many groups of friends, far too many to list. He held the position as VP & Board Member for the Federation Life Insurance of America (PRCUA). Served on the Advisory Committee for MATC, Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Unemployment Counsel and a LONG time Volunteer for the Channel 10 Auction. He loved seeing himself on TV. He loved his polka music, listening to the Sunday Morning Polka show and watching the polka shows on TV. He was very proud of this Polish heritage and the Kruza House at Old World Wisconsin built by his Great, Great, Grandfather Frank.

There's no denying that Jerry's life was well-lived, a journey well traveled and a man that will be remembered by all that knew him. A great 90 years of memories that will be treasured and shared over and over. These last 14 years have been a little more difficult without Phyllis but he is now reunited with her and all loved ones who went before him. He will be forever missed by all of us. We bid our final fair well to a great man, husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother and friend.

Jerry's final wish to us is that his memory be of happy times and laughing times that leaves a smile on your face, and those tears of grief be dried before the sun.

Visitation Friday, September 5th at Max A Sass & Sons Mission Hills Chapel 8910 W Drexel Ave, Franklin, WI from 9:30 to 11:00 AM followed by Service. Entombment at Saint Adalbert Cemetery, 3801 S 6th St and Luncheon at Polish Center of Wisconsin, 6941 S 68th St, Franklin, WI.

Memorial donations can be made to Oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org for the care of the Kruza House.