Jerry R. Haack
Jerry Haack Obituary
In the early hours of November 4, 2024, Jerry Robert Haack (fondly dubbed "JerBear" & "Daddy-O") passed peacefully at home in rural Waushara County after nearly four decades of courageously coping with ALL the challenges of quadriplegia.
Throughout those decades, Jerry's determination [aka stubborn Haack DNA] and unique sense of humor impressed his inner circle of loving family members, steadfast friends, special caregivers, and numerous medical team members.
Jerry was born in Cook County, Illinois, on July 10, 1959, to Robert "Bob" and "Vonnie" (Yvonne Zimmerman) Haack. The family's home at the time was in Park Forest, Illinois. It was there that Jerry was enthusiastically welcomed home by two brothers (Russ and Bruce), and one sister (Connie), who on that day were under the excellent care of honorary big brother Robert Johnson (aka "best babysitter in all of Chicago-Land" and trusted neighbor whom the Haack family adoringly calls "Bobby").
Beyond living at the Park Forest home during the school year, the Haack family's summers and holidays were enjoyed near Saxeville, Wisconsin, at the side-by-side Haack/Zimmerman self-built cottages (featuring a vintage Fond du Lac streetcar retro-fitted for cottage life) on the north shore of Long Lake.
It was there that Jerry's love for sailing became his heart's desire. He quickly gained skills for racing M-16 sailboats. Since his earliest summers, Jerry enjoyed many friendships within the "Long Lake Yacht Club" community. LLYC is still vibrant in 2025 and is noted below among Jerry's charity designations.
When the Haack family moved from Illinois to live year-round "Up North" in Wisconsin, a circa 1938 stone house on Long Lake's south shore (directly across the lake from both sets of grandparents' cottages) became the family hub. From that home, Jerry and his siblings boarded the school bus to Pleasant View School (east of Saxeville). Jerry, as always, was quick to gain loyal, lifelong friends during those elementary grades; these pals would still be observed razzing each other relentlessly while watching sports together in Jerry's final days.
Jerry attended Wild Rose High School where he met the lovely Channette "Shawn" Genevieve Buelow. They fell in love and were married on March 3, 1978. Jerry and Shawn through the years welcomed son Jason and daughter Jessie. Shawn survives Jerry and has always been a loyal part of his lifelong, inner circle.
Before his March 1985 car accident resulted in high level quadriplegia, Jerry had especially loved being part of Waupaca's "Print n Press" team where his work involved sprinting up and down along the long lengths of industrial machinery, adjusting the registry to sharpen the image quality of the printed pages.
March 2025 would have marked 40 years living with quadriplegia ~a seldom achieved accomplishment longterm~ as Jerry consistently overcame his on-going health battles and maintained his quality of life as family members, friends, volunteers, caregivers, and medical staff remained steadfast.
Jerry was especially heartened to be visited by so many "people who cared" during his medically complex final battle which arose in early October of 2024.
Like the avid "Golf Clash" competitor he proved himself to be, Jerry "hit his longest drive" after the ICU doctor said Jerry only had "three hours left" and per Jerry's wishes the medical team removed all medical devices/support and loved ones remained at his side.
Those end-of-life three hours then miraculously stretched.
Against those low odds, Golf Clashes' luckiest duffer Jerry "stayed on the green" for nine more days . . . all filled with many enjoyable bonus moments back home where he most wanted to be with his inner circle of dearest friends, beloved family members, and incredible caregivers. For nearly ten days off all life support, Jerry chose his favorite items to eat, had many visits, and heard his favorite music.
Maple Crest Funeral Home owners Dawn (originally of Saxeville) and Jacci (Waupaca) kindly carried forth Jerry's directives for cremation, a simple death announcement on MCFH's website for November 4, 2024, and no religious service.
Jerry is survived by his son Jason (April) Haack and his daughter Jessie (Matt) Mankowski.
Jerry is further survived by granddaughter Clarissa Haack, grandson Gage (Malcovia) Haack as well as Gage's mother Angela Pezewski.
Jerry is also survived by his brother Russ (Liz) Haack, his sister Dr. Connie Haack-Hurlbut, his God-Sister MSW Kathryn (Shane Vondra) Olson, his former sister-in-law Barb Stevens Haack Stotzheim, his aunts Faith Zimmerman and Pat Repp. In happy addition are Jerry's numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and perhaps an announcement of a great-grandbaby on the way.
As Jerry entered God’s safe harbor, he was welcomed by both parents, all four grandparents, his brother Bruce (Barb) Haack, three uncles, several dear friends, and many relatives.
July 10 marks Jerry's birthday which Jerry originally had selected for a private, limited farewell group hosted by a special Long Lake friend.
Very quickly those wanting to celebrate Jerry’s life grew to a number greatly exceeding the capacity of the offered beach.
Thus, Jerry's "Celebration of Life" advanced two days to Saturday, July 12, after daughter Jessie secured a location that would better accommodate the size of the response. Jerry always attracted many friends and family members for his good times!
Rather than a religious service, Jerry preferred his life to be honored via "sharing of memories." This will be followed by lunch via "Team Celebration of Life" (friends and family), who are creating a homemade buffet of Jerry's favorite summer delights and showcasing family recipes.
If you have not heard directly from a Celebration of Life team member and would like to join everyone for this casual attire event, please call 534-758-0898 for location details as well as the day's schedule.
Jerry's favorite charity designations include:
PBS-Wisconsin
Long Lake Yacht Club
Humane Society of Waupaca County
https://www.waupacahumane.org/donate
Mobility-4-Vets [Waupaca]
Jerry's family thanks you on his behalf and bids you, "Fair winds and following seas!"
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry R. Haack, please visit our floral store.