Full Obituary

     GERALD W. "JERRY" RADEMAKER, age 85, of Thorp, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Traditions Assisted Living in Thorp, surrounded by family.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Baskaran Sandhiyagu will officiate, and burial will follow in Old St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by Thorp American Legion Post #118.  Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 9am until time of service, with a Knights of Columbus rosary recited at 9am.
     Gerald Walter Rademaker was born on April 14, 1936 in Stanley, WI, the son of Lester J. and Agnes H. (Baker) Rademaker.  He was raised on the family farm in Gilman, received his education at area schools, and graduated from Gilman High School in 1953.  After high school, Jerry worked for the D.N.R. before entering the U.S. Navy in July 1955.  After his honorable discharge, he returned to Wisconsin and was united in marriage to Joan A. Nowobielski on October 1, 1960 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp.  Jerry owned and operated Gerald Rademaker & Sons Excavating, in addition to logging during the winter months, until his retirement in 2001.
     He had many interests, but especially enjoyed hunting and fishing, woodworking, tending to his "Big" garden, and watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.  Jerry was a "Jack of all Trades" who could fix anything. He loved and served his family, and will be dearly missed!
     Jerry was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, was a volunteer fireman for the Thorp Fire Department, was a member of the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council #4634, was a member of the N.R.A., and was a member of the Goggle-Eye Trap Club.
     He is survived by his wife, Joan, of Thorp; eight children: Tom (Lori) of Eden Prairie, MN, Diane (Rich) Hall of Lake Forest, CA, Bill (Renee) of Rice Lake, WI, John (Emily) of Poway, CA, Jim (Sara) of Appleton, WI, Mike (Mary) of Henderson, NV, Karen (Gary) Gunderson of Abbotsford, WI, Dolly (Brad) Thornton of Menomonie, WI; 22 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren with two on the way; two sisters: Marlene (Jim) McDevitt of Falmouth, MA, Mary (Russ) Almann of Sarasota, FL; two brothers: Norm Rademaker of Exeland, WI, Chuck Rademaker of New Richmond, WI; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Neil Rademaker; and his sister-in-law, April Rademaker.