Jerry Lee Zaug

Sister Bay, WI – Jerry L. Zaug, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2024. He was born April 22. 1938, in New London, WI, the son of Roger and Hazel (nee Arndt) Zaug. In 1962, Jerry married the love of his life, the former Joan Braeger. They enjoyed 62 years together and were blessed with two children, Cheryl and Warren, and two grandchildren, Alex and Sam.

Jerry graduated from New London High School in 1956 and earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Chicago. He returned home to join his father’s small company, Zaug’s Vending & Food Service, and helped grow it into a regional food industry mainstay, including securing the exclusive rights to provide food and beverage services at the annual EAA fly-in in Oshkosh. He sold his interest in Zaug’s to his brother Allen and tried to retire in Door County. Unable to settle down, he purchased the inn next door, the Country House Resort in Sister Bay, and grew it into a larger, successful enterprise that he was actively involved in until his death. Jerry was a longtime member of the Appleton Downtown Rotary Club and served on the boards of Peninsula Players, the Door Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Door County Housing Partnership, the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association and the National Automatic Merchandising Association.

Jerry loved to travel with his family and play golf, especially at Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek. He lived more than 70 years with Type 1 diabetes, a difficult journey made possible by his strong will and attention to detail. He was honored to be an example to younger people who didn’t know that a long, full life was possible with the disease. Building two successful small businesses was a source of pride for Jerry, who remained an ardent believer in the U.S. free enterprise system.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Joan Zaug, of Sister Bay and Greenville, WI; his daughter Cheryl Zaug Casey (Brian Casey) of Greenville, WI; son Warren Zaug (Trisha Araujo) of Sister Bay, WI; grandson Alexander Zaug (Jean Westropp) of Seattle, WA; granddaughter Samantha Zaug of Minneapolis, MN; and step-granddaughter Amelia Wood (Swann Gruen) of Brooklyn, NY. He is further survived by his brother Allen Zaug (Glennace) of Neenah, WI, and family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas Zaug.

As Jerry faced down his final months, his children were dedicated to his care and honoring his wish to remain at home as long as possible. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Unity Hospice teams in both Door County and Greenville, the Senior Helpers caregivers, Jerry’s independent caregivers in Door County and the caring staff at Rennes, Appleton.

Jerry didn’t suffer regrets. As Frank Sinatra crooned, “My friend, I’ll say it clear. I’ll state my case of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

Friends & family may visit Thursday, Dec. 26 from 2-4pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be sent to Peninsula Players Theater or the Door County Housing Partnership.