Jerome "Jerry" Strigel's Obituary
Jerome “Jerry” Edward Strigel
Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin February 24, 1940
Died April 29, 2026 in Black Wolf, Wisconsin.
Jerry Strigel, age 86, passed away peacefully at his beloved home on Lake Winnebago after a battle with bone marrow cancer. He was born in Sheboygan to the late Jerome and Helen(Entringer) Strigel as the third of seven children. They lived at the end of the block in a house heated with coal. He loved the memories of making a baseball diamond in the vacant lot adjacent to their home, and playing in the nearby woods with his siblings and neighbors. Jerry graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1958. He was proud to have worked at Kress-Hertel Fine Men’s Clothing with his father in grade school, high school, even into college. He found he liked wearing the nice clothes better than selling them and so furthered his education with an accounting degree. He started at the UW - Sheboygan extension for a year before deciding he wanted to attend UW - Madison. However, due to the expense, he had to work a summer and the fall semester without going to school to afford to pay for the spring semester. He did this for two years before deciding he would be an old man before completing school, so he moved home and completed his degree in accounting at Lakeland College in Sheboygan.
He met Patti Weiland on a date that his roommate set up, who was dating Patti’s sister Jane at the time. Patti and Jerry dated for several years, and ultimately married October 17, 1970 at St. Joseph’s Parish in Grafton, Wisconsin. He started working with the EAA on February 11, 1975 in Hale’s Corners. He started as a business manager and made the move to Oshkosh with them in 1983. He worked at EAA moving through the ranks until his retirement in 2001 at which time he was the Executive Vice President of Finance. The pride of his work was the annual air show which turned his life upside down every July, but never disappointed. Patti, Jim, and Amy worked there alongside him helping to keep everything running smoothly. Even this past year he enjoyed the air show from the comfort of his dock.
Jerry had many interests outside of work. He loved to be outdoors. Maintaining his lake property on his John Deere was a labor of love. He loved to be on the water in a boat and often exclaimed there was no better feeling. He learned to sail with Amy while she was in Madison at the UW hoofers outdoor club. He loved to Kayak, but most of all he loved his Boston Whaler. He also always had a bike of one sort or another. Even in the last year of life he was researching an e-trike and had a photo of it taped above his desk. He was a fantastic cook, and as far as Jerry was concerned the more complicated the recipe the better. He was also a grill master, preferring the traditional charcoal to anything else. Most of all though he loved spending any time he could with his family both immediate and extended.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife Patti; Children Jim (Cindy) Strigel, Amy (Ken) Kleist; Grandchildren Jack, Samuel, and Katherine Kleist; Brothers and Sisters Tom (Pat) Strigel of Fond du lac, WI, Clare Kovacich of Sheboygan, WI, Rosemary (Tom) Nelson of Lenexa, KS, Julie (Dave) Kramer of Sheboygan, WI; Sister-in-laws Jane Strigel of Prarie du Sac, WI, Dianne Strigel of Madison, WI; as well as many nieces and nephews. Special Dogs: Roxy Kleist and Gus Strigel. He was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Helen Strigel, Beloved Brothers James and Robert Strigel and brother-in-law Marty Kovacich.
The family also would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who helped Jerry and his family through his illness. First, Ascension Oncology Michael D. Wachtel Center, in particular, Dr. Bradley Heraly and Meghan Boll, FNP-BC and their team of dedicated nurses and staff. All of you made this easier by greeting us with a smile and making us feel like we were your only patient for the day. We felt like you listened and addressed every concern. Dr. Heraly, you always made us laugh.
Finally, Moments Hospice, who helped provide loving care in the last few months of Jerry’s life. In particular, Lexie and Marissa who became like a part of the family. In addition Mary, Michelle, Quinta, and Ally. Thank you for the respect, kindness, and concern you showed at each step of Jerry’s journey. No matter how crazy your day may have been, you gave us your undivided attention.
The funeral service will be at St. Raphael the Archangel at 830 S. Westhaven Dr. Oshkosh, WI 54904 on May 8th, 2026 at 11:00 AM with a visitation hour from 10 -11 AM preceding and a light lunch immediately to follow.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in Jerry’s name or plant a tree in his honor.
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