Jerry J. Weinkauf

February 26, 1951 — December 9, 2025

Burlington

Gerald “Jerry” J Weinkauf of Rochester, WI; our devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, passed away at Golden Years Skilled Nursing Facility and Rehab in Lake Geneva on Tuesday, December 9th. He was 74.

Hometown Jerry

Jerry was born February 26th, 1951, in Waukesha, WI to Gordon & Betty (Thayer) Weinkauf, spent his whole life in and around his beloved Rochester, WI. On April 8th 1972, Jerry was joined in marriage to Kathy Irwin, his soulmate of 53 plus years. Graduating from Waterford Union High School in 1969, Jerry was captain of the football and wrestling teams as well as the lead actor in musicals such as “Finian’s Rainbow” and “L’il Abner”.

Rochester’s Happy Farmer

The quintessential farmer, Jerry spent his childhood and young adult life dairy farming, before moving to heavy equipment with companies like Waste Management, Reesman Excavating, Oakes & Sons, BFI, and Emerald Park. As a heavy equipment operator, he competed in the Truck and Heavy Equipment Rodeos where he had successes at the regional, Minnesota, and Texas competitions. In ‘retirement’, Jerry took care of Foat’s Car & Dog Wash in Waterford, and Epping’s gravel pits.

Pillar of the Community

Jerry was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Waterford, the S.E. WI Antique Power & Collectible Society and a Wolverine Booster Club member. He presided over the St. Thomas Athletic Association while his three children played more than a few basketball games during their grade school years. An avid tractor enthusiast, for the last 15 years Jerry led the route for Waterford Lion’s Club Chicken BBQ Tractorcade, where he sincerely enjoyed meeting all the other riders, many who hadn’t heard of the ride before, but went on to become lifelong friends. Jerry made friends wherever he went.

Grandpa Jerry’s Legacy

Jerry’s favorite achievement was teaching his 3 children his strong work ethic, that now has passed on to his grandchildren, of whom he couldn’t be prouder. He was the greatest of grandfathers, loved following all their activities and supporting them in sports, dance, and livestock shows. Grandpa Jerry was ALWAYS there, often with a few dollars of ‘walking cash’ in his pocket. Jerry inspired all who knew him by quietly battling the debilitating disease of M.S., that he almost never let on despite a life of physical pain and discomfort.

Jerry is preceded in death by parents Gordon & Betty Weinkauf, Parents In-Law Robert Irwin and Virginia (Remer) Irwin, brother Tom Weinkauf, brother in-law Mark Cadman and granddaughter Stella Weinkauf.

Jerry is survived by his adored wife Kathy, leaves behind his legacy to beloved children Nathan (Mary) Weinkauf, Abby (Ryan) Watson, and Nick Weinkauf, grandchildren, Cole and Maya Weinkauf, Cecilia and Marisol Watson, Maddie (Danny) Maki, Olivia Spaight (Matthew Chaney), and John Spaight, and great grandchild, Calvin Chobot. Further survived by siblings Nancy (Dale) Ketterhagen, Mike (Judy) Weinkauf, Dan (Nancy) Weinkauf, Tammy Cadman and many loving nieces and nephews, Jerry will be deeply missed by all his family, friends, and fellow farmers.

Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Waterford WI on Saturday, December 20th with a visitation from 9:00-11:45 am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Burial immediately to follow at Rochester Cemetery with luncheon after at the St. Thomas Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

National MS Society P.O. Box 88540, Carol Stream IL 60188 www.nationalmssociety.org

or

Waterford Lions Club of Waterford P.O. Box 84 Waterford WI 53185https://waterfordlions.org/sponsors.html

A special thank you for the phenomenal care provided over the last seven months by St. Luke’s Hospital of Milwaukee, Golden Years of Lake Geneva and Aurora Hospice Care. We are also grateful for all the prayers from friends and family – It has meant the world to us.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Faith Community (305 S 1st St, Waterford, WI 53185) from 9-11:45a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 12p.m. Burial will follow at the Rochester Cemetery.

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