Gerald D. Straube

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald “Jerry” Straube, 78, of Waterford, WI. He passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on September 10, 2025.

Jerry was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa to James and Betty (Lasco) Straube before moving to Wisconsin. He graduated from Waterford Union High School in 1965. Soon after, he married his high school sweetheart, Cecilia Dahlman. Together, they had three children, James, Bryan, and Breanne. Soon after high school, Jerry began his tenure with J.F. Shea, starting first as a laborer for the Milwaukee Deep Tunnel project. Over time, he climbed the career ladder, becoming foreman and eventually retired from the company in 2012. While working in the tunnels during the week, he spent his nights and weekends earning checkered flags and trophies in the 05 at both Lake Geneva Raceway and Rockford Speedway, starting in the late 1960s through the mid-1980s.

After his first wife’s untimely passing in 1986, Jerry was encouraged by his former mother-in-law Wanda to give Karis (who worked with Cecilia at Sta-Rite) a call and ask her out. Karis agreed to a date, and the rest, as they say, is history. They married in July 1989 by a Justice of the Peace who was wearing board shorts and flip flops, which their witnesses (aka their children) found hilarious. They worked hard to merge their two families together, as Karis had three girls of her own, Karis (Jr.), Pam, and Leanne. They created a modern day Brady Bunch - the only thing missing was Alice the housekeeper. When tunnel work was not available in the area, Jerry was employed at Five Star Fabricating, Inc. in general maintenance. On the side, he built his “mechanic’s dream” pole barn where he established Straube Fabricating to fabricate cars for the local racers. He also launched PURExcitment Driving Thrills, providing the average Joe the opportunity to drive a race car on the Milwaukee Mile.

Once Jerry retired in 2012, his work in the shop shifted from race cars to classic cars. He built a 1967 Chevy Camaro, a 1950 Chevy truck, and a 1939 Chevy sedan. He also added to his collection of cars a 2008 Chevy Corvette that he and Karis traveled the midwest in. Jerry is survived by his wife Karis, and their children, James (Sara) Straube, Karis (Jeff) Vogt, Pam (Mark) Rhode, Bryan (Denise) Straube, Leanne (BJ) Hoffmann, and Breanne (Nate) Lundt. He is also survived by a long list of grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as ‘Grumpa.’

The family extends their heartfelt thank you to the caring nurses and staff at Heartland Hospice, especially Morgan Waldron, Aurora Summit’s Lombardi Cancer Clinic especially Dr. Phillip Knouse and his amazing team of nurses and aides, Aurora Summit surgeon Dr. Jaffa and the rehab nurses, and Burlington Hospital ER physician assistant Paige K. The family also thanks the many good friends and neighbors who have provided support and care to Jerry, Karis and the family over the last 18 months. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you please donate to cancer care at Aurora Summit VLCC. For online donations, please click https://secure.aahgiving.org/site/Donation2f_id=5042&mfc_pref=T&5042.donation=form1 and select "cancer care" as a program.For check donations, please write to Aurora Healthcare Foundation - Summit VLCC and mail to Hannah Mortensen, 36500 Aurora Dr, Summit, WI 53066. In both instances, please designate the gift is in memory of Jerry Straube.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 1-4pm at Integrity Celebration Center, 2789 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington WI 53105. Dress casual, bring your classic cars and good weather!

Straight home, Jer… straight home.

Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Straube family.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
• 225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185
• 262-534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com