Jerry F. Unser Sr.

Jerry F. Unser Sr., 85, of West Salem, Wisconsin, died on March 15, 2025, at the Tomah VA Medical Center.
He was born on September 20, 1939, to Donald and Irene (Delong) Unser in Eau Galle, Wisconsin. Jerry attended school in Elmwood, Wisconsin.
After high school, Jerry joined the United States Marine Corp on February 3, 1957. During his time as a Marine, he trained at the Naval Air Technical Center, in Tennessee, receiving his Aviation Fundamentals and then worked as a jet engine mechanic and in aviation repair. He received many awards for his accomplishments, two good conduct medals, rifle marksmanship badge and pistol marksmanship badge. In February of 1961 he was Honorably discharged. Jerry was united in marriage to Carol L. Smith on June 1, 1963, and they were married for 61 years. They moved to West Salem in 1966 and spent 59 years there. Jerry worked at a variety of places after his military retirement including Bauer Built Tire Company, Dunn County and Eau Claire County as a grader operator, Mathy Construction, and Harland Domke Construction. He later started his own business, Unser Wide Track. He enjoyed running his heaving equipment, tinkering in his garage, and spending time at the cabin on Lake Eau Galle.
Jerry was involved with the Village Board of West Salem, St. Leo's Catholic Church, West Salem Hockey Association, where he spent many a night flooding the rink, West Salem Fire Department; retiring after 25 years of service, The American Legion Post 51 assisting with their funeral color guard and honors team, Boys Scouts of America in West Salem as leader, the West Salem Football Chain Gang, and the Mississippi Valley Card Club of West Salem.
He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Jerry (Joan) Unser Jr., and Jill Unser (Thomas Palmateer); grandchildren, Lauren (Keegan) Meuer, Brandon (Kaleigh) Unser, Joshua (Colleen) Sagler, Justin (Sarah) Sagler, and Jordan (Darian) Sagler; great-grandchildren, Eastyn, Maddyn and Waylen Meuer, Callen Unser, Jackson and Wyatt Sagler; brother, Craig (Kris) Unser; sisters, Carol Baier, Rita Gruber, and Sue (Gary) Pickering. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Irene Unser; mother and father in-law, John and Esther Smith; brothers-in-law, Jerry Baier and Larry Gruber and grandparents, Fred and Laura Delong and Charles and Nellie Unser.
A blessing of his ashes will be held at the Tomah VA Chapel, for immediate family members.
A Celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 11:00AM - 2:00PM at The West Salem Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51, 148 Leonard St., West Salem, WI.
Memorials will be distributed to the following: West Salem Fire Department, American Legion Post 51 Building Fund, Tomah VA Hospice Fund, and West Salem Historical Society. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.