Jerry Guell

Jerome J. Guell, 74, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home with his wife and loved ones on September 1, 2016. He was born in Fond du Lac on November 1, 1941, a son of Irving and Josephine (Schmidt) Guell.

Jerry attended St. Mary’s grade school through 8th grade. He graduated from Goodrich High School in 1961. He took a psychology course in Chicago for one year. He started out working at McDonalds – our very 1st one in Fond du Lac – as head French fryer, then to Eaton Grocery Store on Hickory where he found his interest in the grocery business, which led him towards cutting meat. Jerry then worked at Sentry Foods a short time and moved to Red Owl Forest Mall, Country Store, and Farrell’s Country Store as Meat Manager.

He married the love of his life, Julie Blitzke, on August 21, 1987. They then ventured out and bought, owned and operated their store, Julie and Jerry’s Red Owl in Iron Ridge, WI. Jerry and Julie did that until they sold the store in 1991, packed up the car and headed West to stop and play at any golf course that crossed their paths. After golfing, they’d go out to dinner, find a place to sleep and venture off again the next day.

Jerry made his way out to San Antonio, TX by his sister-in-law for a while, and then off again to see his brother-in-law, Joel, and his family in Glendale, Arizona. Soon after, Jerry and Julie would be back on the road again, sight-seeing and golfing. He always said it was the most beautiful time of his life and just loved it, as Julie did…What a Ride!

Jerry continued to be a meat cutter for George Prescott’s Pick and Save on Scott Street in Fond du Lac, then worked at Piggly Wiggly and Sentry for a short time until he retired in 2003. He then picked up delivering parts for Gordy at Automotive Supply Bumper to Bumper in Oshkosh and finally, at Auto Zone. He enjoyed all his customers.

Jerry enjoyed shooting pool and billiards. He was awesome. He always said anyone could beat anyone at 8-ball. Straight pool was the best, like 14-1: you know when you win. The longest run in pool was 127 in a row. He had never gotten past that mark, although he tried and made it up to 126 balls twice. He was Fond du Lac city champ for years.

Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and golfed with his brother, Bob, in the KC golf league, along with other partners through the years, including Pete Giese. He also enjoyed gardening, yard work, woodworking, golfing and enjoyed all those things until his back problems. He switched to word games, cribbage, rummy and going out to dinner. When Jerry was told of his COPD, things slowed down quite fast and he enjoyed going on rides in the country. Jerry and Julie bought a Rav-4 and headed out every day. Most weekends were all-day rides. He always laughed about putting on close to 20,000 miles in 13 months and never left Wisconsin.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Julie; his daughters, Jackie (Scott) Holmes, Lori Bonenfant, Shelly Rosenkranz; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of Fond du Lac. He is further survived by two brothers, Bob (Joan) Guell of Fond du Lac and Kenneth (Valerie) Guell of IL; two sisters, Delores Treleven of Fond du Lac and Joan (Steve) Spiel of Decatur, TX; one brother-in-law, Charles Stewart of Fond du Lac; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Kathrine (Mike) Brown of Fond du Lac, Joel (Barb) Blitzke of Glendale, AZ, Amy (Bill) Rector of Boerne, TX, Luke (Mary) Blitzke of Eldorado, WI; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Josephine (Schmidt) Guell, parents-in-law, Frank E and Violet (Brunet) Blitzke, one brother-in-law, Irving Guell and his wife, Rose, another brother-in law, Mel Treleven, one sister, Marlyn Steward, one sister-in-law, Irene Guell and one nephew, David Guell.

Visitation: Jerry’s family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, from 4:00 PM to 5:45 PM.

Service: A memorial service will follow visitation on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the funeral home at 6:00 PM. Cremation has taken place.

Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com

Jerry and I loved our life together. I loved making him happy and he did the same. I will miss him dearly.