Jerald V. Loehrke

Jerald "Jerry" Vernon Loehrke, age 70, of Weyauwega, WI, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at his residence. He was born on April 6, 1955 in Waupaca, WI to the late Vernon and Delores (Peterson) Loehrke. Jerry married Christine (Kiernicki) Loehrke on January 20, 1995 in Poy Sippi, WI.

Jerry was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifelong member of Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Town of Lind. Raised on his family's homestead farm on Pine Hill Road in the town of Saxeville, he developed skills that led to a lifetime of farming and caring for many different types of animals. In his youth, Jerry was known to be an apt horseman as he tamed and rode his favorite horse, Rebel, all over Pine Hill, and earned the nickname "The Pine Hill Kid". He was a graduate of the Weyauwega-Fremont High School class of 1973, was very fond of W-F sport programs, and would rarely miss a W-F wrestling meet. In 1993, Jerry transitioned from full-time dairy farming and entered the Steamfitting trade as an "old" apprentice where he quickly developed the skills to move up to a Journeyman and then a Master as a member of the UA Local 400 Plumbers and Steamfitters in Kaukauna, WI until he retired after 24 years. He then returned to his roots and began beef farming on his current home farm.

Jerry belonged to and served on many local clubs, teams, and organizations: a lifelong member of the Sawdust City Tree Dodgers Snowmobile Club (with over 20 years combined as President, Vice-President, and Trail Master); a Trustee (18 years) and School Board member (3 years) for Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church; a member of Acres of America trap shooting team at the Poygan Gun Club; President of his W-F High School FFA Club; an avid member of the Central Wisconsin Antique Tractor Pullers Inc., including serving 6 years on the board, 2 of those as President (where he excelled with his formidable 1952 John Deere G); Weyauwega Softball Committee; a volunteer with the West Bloomfield Fire Department; organized the Weyauwega Blacktop Annual Tractor Pull; a Stockholder in the Waupaca County Fair Association; excelled in multiple pool shooting leagues; and multiple other activities.

Jerry was a lifelong hunter and shared his love of the outdoors with many generations of his family. He loved having his wife and grandchildren in his hunting stand with him, especially to harvest their first deer. Jerry was a jack-of-all trades, could party with the best of them, and was a great polka dancer. By far, one of his favorite things to do was to collect, work on, and pull tractors.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Christine; children: Keith (Kimberly) Loehrke, Janet (Scott) Olson, James (Rebecca) Loehrke, Tammy (Christopher) Raffen; step-children: David (Charity) Buhrow, James Buhrow, Timothy (Toni) Buhrow, Eric (Beth) Buhrow; Chantel Mundschau, Crystal Buhrow; grandchildren: Kyle (McKena) Loehrke, Katelyn Loehrke, Ashley Loehrke (special friend Leland Heinrich), Alex Loehrke, David Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson, Allison (Lydon) Wright, Jenna Olson, Justin Olson, Hailey Raffen, Aubry Raffen, Bryce Raffen, Noah Buhrow (special friend Brianna Shrake), Sophia Buhrow, Isaac Buhrow, Alexis Kation, Aidan Kation, Renee Buhrow, Jameson Buhrow, Xavier Stone (special friend Kyleigh Lynn), Colton Buhrow; great-grandchildren: Lydia and Lebeus Johnson, soon-to-be Baby Wright; siblings: Jeff (Jean) Loehrke, Lori (Jerry) Reinert, Randy (Marge) Loehrke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Chester Kiernicki (special friend Sharon), Mitchell (Donna) Kiernicki, George (Cathy) Kiernicki, Edward Kiernicki, Helen (Bryan) Beck, Irene (David) Stinski, Nancy (Jon) Blake, Linda (Rich) Nickolaisen, and Elaine Kiernicki. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Delores (Peterson) Loehrke; his daughter, Amy Loehrke; his father and mother in-law, Richard and Sophie Kiernicki; and his brothers-in-law: Thaddeus "Teddy" Kiernicki and Richard Kiernicki.

The Christian Funeral for Jerry will be held on Monday, June 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church (N180 Cty Rd A, Waupaca) with Rev. Kurt Schilling officiating. Interment will follow at the Lind Center Cemetery, Town of Lind. A visitation will be held at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Weyauwega on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m and then at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.