Obituary: Jerry (Jerome James) Gnadt

Jerry (Jerome James) Gnadt was born to eternal life on August 28, 2012, at the age of 81, following a battle with cancer and other health complications. Cherished father of Ginny Gnadt, David (Dara Larson) Gnadt, Elaine (Robert) Burns and Peggi Gnadt. Loving grandfather of Thad (Sarah), Arik, Julia and Claudia Burns; and great-grandfather of Anthony, Lucas and Malcolm Jerome Burns. Survived by sister Adeline Martin, sister-in-law Marie (John) Gnadt, many loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and an extraordinary number of caring friends. Preceded in death by loving wife Barbara C. (Lunz) Gnadt, to whom he'd been married since 1955. Also preceded in death by parents Mary Olive and John Gnadt; siblings George (Loretta) Gnadt, Marie (John) Domagalski, Alois (Veronica) Gnadt, Bernard (Theresa) Gnadt, John Gnadt, Ruth Gnadt; sisters Frances and Leona, who died before Jerry was born; and sister-in-law Lois Lunz. 

Jerry was raised in St. Nazianz, Wis., and was a 1949 graduate of Valders High School. He proudly served the U.S. Air Force in the Philippines during the Korean War. After returning from the service, he married, worked full time and attended evening school at Marquette University for seven years. In 1961, he became the first person to graduate from Marquette's electrical engineering bachelor's degree program entirely as a part-time student. He worked as an engineer and a technical writer for many years at numerous companies, including Allis Chalmers, A.C. Spark Plug and Industrial Publishing Services. In later years, he ran his own business, Jerry Gnadt Associates.  

He showed supreme devotion and love in caring for wife Barbara who died of Alzheimer's in October 2008, moving in to the care facility to be with her when it was no longer possible to minister to all her needs at home. Jerry and Barbara were both involved in church groups over the years. After Barbara's death, Jerry returned to their home in Menomonee Falls and immersed himself in many church and social groups, bible study groups, choirs, served as a trustee for St. James Catholic Church, volunteered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Waukesha County, and helped coordinate a church gardening program to grow food for the hungry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion of St. Nazianz. 

Jerry was known for great kindness, compassion, humor, integrity, generosity, friendliness, humility and willingness to help anyone in need. He was always the "life of the party," quick to crack a joke and put people at ease. He wanted to be remembered with smiles and thoughts of happy times spent together. He was devoted to his family and friends and concerned for everyone's welfare, whether he knew them personally or not. He was interested in theology and philosophy, always continuing to grow his faith in God.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at St. James Catholic Church, W220N6588 Town Line Rd, Menomonee Falls. Visitation at the church from 3 p.m. until time of Mass. Mass will be followed by a meal at the church. A brief inurnment service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, on the grounds at St. James. Special thanks for the loving care and support offered by the staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, Zilber Family Hospice and his devoted friends. 

Jerry felt strongly about feeding the hungry. Memorial donations to the food outreach charity of the donor's choice or to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Waukesha County, S30W24836 Sunset Drive, Waukesha, WI 53189, would be appreciated.