Gerald "Jerry" Louis Henke peacefully entered eternal life on May 26, 2024. He was blessed by Father Matthew Ferch of St. Francis Borgia Catholic church.

Jerry was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 7, 1928, to the late Alexander Oscar Henke and Ellen Gertrude (Schmidt) Henke. He graduated from Shorewood High School with the class of 1946.

On August 6, 1955, Jerry was united in marriage to Gail Carol Green in Antigo, Wisconsin, where they bonded forever as one. They honey-mooned in automobile travel-trip to Banff Canada, traveling in their 1955 Buick Special. They spent close to 70 wonderful and loving years living together and raising a family. In later years, they often could be found holding hands.

Jerry was an industrial pattern-maker and model-maker. He thoroughly enjoyed his life-long profession, and ran his own business for 45 years. He started his trade at Kiekhaefer Mercury Marine in Cedarburg, WI, and completed an apprenticeship in 1958. He eventually started moonlighting, building patterns in the basement of his home, and in 1966, he formed Ozaukee Pattern Company, and incorporated several years later.

Jerry enjoyed playing Sheepshead (thanks to all of the dear and close card club friends, for all those years of laughter and fun travels), spending time at the family's Greater Bass Lake cottage, golfing, boating, fish fries, and an occasional old-fashioned cocktail.

Memorable family vacations were taken to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Washington D.C., Williamsburg, VA, Gettysburg, PA, Mount Vernon, VA, and often a yearly vacation to the family cottage. Memorable retirement travel vacations were taken to Alaska, Arizona, the East Coast, and Europe.

Jerry dutifully served his country in the United States Army, and later joined the Air Force, and was honorably discharged in 1948, and 1951, respectively. He was a long-time member of American Legion, Peter Wollner Post, in Cedarburg.

Jerry is survived by his wife Gail, his children; Mark Henke, Jean (William) Masters and James (Wendy) Henke, along with his cherished grandchildren, Lauren and Grace Henke. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other family, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, his brother, Donald (Ethel) Henke, and grandparents Catherine and Herman Schmidt, and Louis and Verna Henke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM at St. Francis Borgia Catholic – North Church, 1375 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg. The family will receive visitors at the CHURCH from 11:00 AM until the time of Mass. He will be laid to rest at Saint Francis Borgia Cemetery, in Cedarburg WI. A mid-afternoon luncheon will be provided in the Saint Francis Borgia Catholic – North Church's lower-level hall, where all family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, or Saint Francis Borgia's Cemetery.

The family sincerely thanks Father Matthew Ferch, Bluestone Physician Services, Brighton Hospice, Silverado Memory Care – North Shore, and Froedtert.