Jerry Ziefle, 83, passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021, with his family at his side. He was born on July 15, 1938, in Milwaukee to the late Joseph and Florence (Bauknecht) Ziefle. Jerry attended Cathedral Grade School through sixth grade and graduated from Annunciation Grade School. He attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from Premontre High School with the class of 1956. Jerry married the love of his life, Patricia DeCleene, on April 4, 1959. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Jerry and his family were longtime members of St. Jude Catholic Church and he was actively involved with the Athletic Club and Holy Name Society. Jerry worked with his father in the optical business and operated The Op Shop until 1978 when he joined Shopko Stores as a Buyer-Merchandiser. He was instrumental in opening Shopko’s Optical Centers and held numerous management positions until his retirement. Jerry was especially proud of overseeing the development of the Central Optical Lab, which processes all of the eyewear sold in Shopko stores. Upon retirement, he managed Woodland Ridge Golf Course in Crivitz for 12 years until it closed in 2015. Jerry was a well-known amateur athlete who played fast-pitch softball, touch football, bowling and was the player-coach of the Swan Club amateur basketball team, which was a dominant team in the Green Bay area in the 1960’s and 70’s.
However, Jerry was most proud of his family and is survived by his wife, Pat; daugthers, Jennie (Paul) Frelich, Susan (Tammie Andrews) Bickett and Christine (Jeff) Ferris; sons, John (Cheri) Ziefle and Michael Ziefle; grandchildren, Danielle (Justin Hepp) Jauquet, Rob Jauquet, Thomas Jauquet, Connor Fritsch, Hannah Fritsch, Allison (Alex) Olson, Brianna (Brandon Houts) Ziefle, Kaycee (Luke Davison) Ziefle, Marissa Ziefle, Katie Ziefle and Nash Ziefle; great grandchildren, Benson and Felix. He is further survived by siblings, Joanne (Jim) Zipperer, Judy (Don) LeMere and Jan Yagodzinski; sister-in-law, Audrey Latus; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Viola DeCleene.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1307 Lourdes Ave., De Pere, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorial Mass 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church with Rev. James O’Baraniak, O.Praem officiating. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemtery. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund will be established.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mark Riedy and the nurses in the Aurora BayCare ICU for all that they did. Their care and compassion will not be forgotten.