Jerome R. Schaefer

Jerome R. “Jerry” Schaefer, aka “Butch”, “Gordy”, and “Chico”, 75, of North Fond du Lac, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Fond du Lac on September 14, 1950, to Leonard and Alice (Flesch) Schaefer. Jerry went to Holy Cross grade school in St. Cloud, and graduated from New Holstein High School, class of 1968. After graduation, Jerry served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). On April 29, 1978, Jerry married Deanna Retzlaff at St. Mary’s of Lost Lake.

Jerry was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 139 and worked at C.D. Smith for 30 years until he retired in 2008. A week after retirement, he went moose hunting in Canada which began the first of many hunting and fishing trips. Jerry also traveled with Deanna to nearly all 50 states and several countries. In remembrance of his service, he went on his Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in October 2017.

Jerry cherished his role in service-oriented organizations. He belonged to the St. Cloud American Legion Post 478, and the North Fond du Lac Optimist Club where he was Optimist of the Year in 2014, 2016, and 2025. In 2014, Jerry built his shed, aka his Man Cave, and grew his prized garden from which he would share produce with everyone.

Survivors include his wife, Deanna; sons, Paul (Kelly) Schaefer of North Fond du Lac, and Thomas (Jill) Schaefer of Chicago, IL; and grandchildren, Hannah Schaefer, and Kasey Schaefer. He is further survived by his siblings, Ronald (Mary) Schaefer of St. Cloud, Judy (Robert) Grantz of Rapid City, SD, William (Jean) Schaefer, and Rose Ziebert, all of Fond du Lac, Larry (Mary) Schaefer of St. Cloud, and Shirley Fox of Verona; sisters-in-law, Diane Retzlaff, Debra Retzlaff, Sandra (Dennis) Eager, Patricia Fauser, Kathleen (Kim) Standke, and Karen (Norbert) Hughes; brothers-in-law, Randall (Donna) Retzlaff, Richard (Lori) Retzlaff, and David (Michelle) Retzlaff; God children, Jeffrey Schaefer, Steven Grantz, Jared Hughes, and Aaron Retzlaff; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Abler; father and mother-in-law, Walter and Savilla Retzlaff; brothers-in-law, Paul Abler, Gary Retzlaff, Walter Retzlaff, Dennis Retzlaff, Joseph Retzlaff, and Craig Fauser; nephews, Scott Schaefer, Travis Retzlaff, and Justin Hughes; and a niece, Krystle McClelland.

Jerry also had some very special people in his life: Kurt Petrie, for nearly three decades, called or stopped by the house every Sunday at noon and was like another son to him; Anna Gartner, a foreign exchange student from Germany (1997-1998), was like a daughter to Jerry and Deanna; and Laure Rolleman, a foreign exchange student from Netherlands (2021-2022), and Emily Merlino, a special friend of the family, were like granddaughters. Jerry was proud to attend the events of his children, grandchildren, and other family members.

We lost a very wonderful person. He loved his family and friends and treated his neighbors and community as though they were his family. He always was the first to help people, sometimes without being asked. He always had a smile on his face and could talk your head off about hunting, fishing and gardening.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to BackPack Buddies/Oriole Nation, 1115 Thurke Ave., North Fond du Lac, WI, 54937, or Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 260 S. Rolling Meadows Dr., Fond du Lac, WI, 54937.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Marghael’s, N7688 Van Dyne Road, in North Fond du Lac. Jerry wanted everyone to have one hell of a last party on him! (Casual attire, please). A burial will be held at a later date in Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI. Cremation has taken place.

A special thank you to Dr. Tolay, Sara, and all staff at SSM’s Cancer Center. Jerry thought of you as family and you treated him as such.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com