Gerald R. Anklam

Gerald R. "Jerry" Anklam, 72, of Wausau passed away Sunday May 3rd, 2015 at his home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. He was under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Jerry was born August 3rd, 1942 in Wausau to Raymond and Elvera (Dehnel) Anklam. He attended school in Wausau and graduated from Wausau High School in 1960. He went to work for Muskegon Piston Rings (later named Goetze and Federal Mogul), retiring in 2006 after 40 years. He enjoyed a career as a school bus driver for the Wausau School District as well, retiring after 40 years of service in 2014 after his health declined. He also worked part-time for Marathon Mail Services for many years. On October 12th, 1968, Jerry met the love of his life, Joan Wenzel. They were married at St. Michael Catholic Church on June 5th, 1971. They had one daughter, Jennifer Joan, in March 1977. Jerry was an active member of St. Michael Parish. He was an usher, assisted with watering the outside flowers in summer, and volunteered his time driving the alter servers on their summer trips. Jerry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He would give you the shirt off his back and not expect a thing in return. He had a warm smile and a contagious laugh that he shared often. He loved to play cards, especially sheepshead and poker. He also loved to take family and friends out to eat. He was a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. His greatest joy was his family, especially his 2 granddaughters. Jerry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan, of Wausau; daughter Jennifer, her husband Dan and their children Hannah and Chloe, all of Wausau; one brother, Orville Anklam (special friend Agnes Schelbert), Weston; Sister-in-law Marie (Ron) Juedes, Ringle; Sister-in-law Ann Reich, Schofield; Godchildren Roxanne Schroeder and her children Missy and Jake; Tammy (Jeff) Badeau and their son Mason, Ringle; and Mike Erdman, Wausau. Jerry is further survived by niece Brenda (Del) Tesch and their children DJ (Autumn) and Jeremy all of Wausau; nephews Russell (Maureen) Anklam and their son Zachary, Marathon; James (Joanne) Juedes and their children Joseph, Jacob, and Jonathon, Ringle; Michael Juedes (Sara Stevens) and their daughter Stella, Wausau; as well as many other family members and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Elvera Anklam; infant brother Russell Anklam; step-father Frank Andzeyewski; parents-in-law Herbert and Stella Wenzel; sister-in-law Marilyn Anklam; brother-in-law Ronald "Butch" Reich; and nephew Mark Reich. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am, Thursday May 7th, 2015 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 Stark Street, Wausau, with Father William Grevatch presiding. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday May 6th, 2015 at Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street in Wausau. A prayer service will be held at 7:30pm. Visitation will again take place on Thursday at the church from 10:00am until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park. A heartfelt word of thanks goes to Father William Grevatch, Pastor at St. Michael Parish; Dr. Christopher Peterson and the nurses and staff at the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center; Dr. Carl Miller and the nurses and staff in Interventional Radiology at Aspirus Wausau Hospital; and the nurses and staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Thank you all for your compassionate care of Jerry and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, or to the family. Online condolences may be made at petersonkraemer.com.