Jerry Pretsch Sr.

Jerry Lee Pretsch Sr., age 79, of Stratford, died peacefully at home with family on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

A memorial service will be held at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, 1010 East Veterans Parkway on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Mark Krueger presiding. Burial will take place at a later date at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner. Visitation for family and friends will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home.

Jerry Lee Pretsch was born on a Monday, Feb. 21, 1944, in Neillsville, the son of Fred and Wanda (Short) Pretsch. He was educated at Shortville area schools. On February 7, 1970, he was united in marriage to Caroline Duran (nee: Laessig) in Stratford.

Jerry worked at the mink farms in Shortville, Hamilton Beach in North Carolina and joined the U.S. Army National Guard Reserve in 1962. He later became employed by the Rollohome Corp. in Marshfield until they closed in 1985, continuing with Wick Building System (formerly Marshfield Homes) until he retired in June of 2008. He loved bowling and watching baseball games, however, watching professional wrestling was his passion.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Caroline; his children: Jerry (Connie) Pretsch Jr. of Hewitt, Carmen Duran of Stratford and Marino (Deana) Duran of Colorado; his grandchildren: Jordan Pretsch of Hewitt, Evan Pretsch of Hewitt, Alex Zaleski of Wausau and Dillan Zaleski of Green Bay, Austin Duran of Hawaii, Colin (Kara) Duran of Germany and Spencer Duran of the U.S. Marine Corp.; his sister, Arlene (Donald) Jelinek of Neillsville, and great-grandchildren: Brooklyn and Elijah Duran of Germany.

Jerry was a favorite uncle and honorary “Grandpa” to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Earl, and half-siblings: Walter, Richard, Marie Cardarelle and Esther King, and one granddaughter, Jessi Lyn Zaleski.

Special thanks to Compassus Home Hospice nurses, CNA, and staff for all their care and kindness. They made a difficult time so much easier for the family.

Paid obituary 135258