- Jerilynn "Jeri" Pekarske (nee Thiele), passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Her unwavering faith in God provided her strength throughout her illness and comforted her family and friends as she "rested in the Lord." Jeri was born on March 2, 1949, in Kaukauna, WI, to Harold and Lavern (Maurer) Thiele. She was the fourth of five children. Jeri attended Kaukauna High School, where she graduated in 1967.
Jeri then attended the Lutheran Hospital of Milwaukee School of Nursing, where she earned her nursing diploma on May 31, 1970. While in school, she met her "knight-in-shining-armor" Richard Pekarske, whom she married on April 25, 1970. She achieved her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and found the profession to be very satisfying. However, she found being a mother to her three sons, Wade Joseph, Matthew Richard and Andrew James Pekarske to be her most fulfilling and rewarding calling. Jeri had a wonderful passion for motherhood and family, and she provided a safe and caring home-life for all. She also had an abundance of happiness and never lost her child-like zest for life, as she was known to "howl at the moon" anytime she was with her sisters Barbara Vander Bloemen, Darlene Vander Heiden and Denise Selsmeyer. She even danced with her walker in the weeks preceding her death. Jeri loved her butterfly and vegetable gardens, from which she prepared flavorful and healthy meals for her family. She enjoyed many trips to National Parks in the United States, as well as numerous cruises in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Jeri is survived by her husband Richard; three sons: Wade (Tammy), Matthew (Nicole) and Andrew (Jenny); her grandson Samuel; and her sisters Barbara, Darlene and Denise. Jeri is further survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and pets.
Jeri was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Lavern; brother Roger Thiele; father-in-law Joseph Pekarske, and mother-in-law Anita (nee Rosenbaum) Pekarske.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (1350 State Highway 175, Hubertus) from 1 p.m. until time of memorial services celebrating her life at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Jay Thorson leading the celebration. In lieu of flowers, Jeri requested that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The family would like to extend a sincere and heart-felt thank you to Dr. Federico Sanchez, the staff of Waukesha Memorial Hospital, and the nurses from Vitas Home Hospice. The excellent care provided was comforting to Jeri and her family during a difficult time.
SCHMIDT & BARTELT
A.A. Schmidt & Sons
Funeral and Cremation
Services
Read more: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110104/APC010301/101040428/Pekarske-Jerilynn-Jeri-nee-Thiele-#ixzz1A82nOdvz
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1949 - 2010 (61 years)
Education - High School
