Jerry H. Willkom, 80

God welcomed Jerry H. Willkom, 80, of Stevens Point, who passed away on July 20, 2019 while under the care of the Portage County Health Care Center, Interim Hospice, and his loving family.

Jerry fought a courageous battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), after undergoing a liver transplant in 1997. He was a fighter and offered hope and inspiration in the worst of times.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 25 from 10-11:45 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 12 p.m. Interment of Jerry’s ashes in Guardian Angel Cemetery will take place at a later date.

This magnificent human being was born on January 8, 1939, to the late Roman and Hedwig Willkom, in Stanley, where he was the youngest of five children. Jerry grew up in St. Joseph Parish, Boyd, where he eagerly received the sacraments. Jerry attended St. Joseph Grade School, Holy Cross High School, St. Francis Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He married the love of his life, Kathleen Kobishop, in 1968.

Jerry devoted his life to his family, and he and Kathy made their home in Whitefish Bay, where they raised their two children. Eventually, they settled in Stevens Point to be close to Kathy’s relatives. By far, Jerry cherished his family. He always assured his wife, children, and grandchildren that he was there for them, he was proud of them as individuals, and he enjoyed cheering them on at their sporting events. Jerry was an excellent role model, always giving of himself and never asking for or expecting anything in return. When his COPD made it difficult for him to walk any distance, Jerry made it his mission to attend funerals at Holy Spirit Parish.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, sisters Colleen Schmitz and Donna Burish, and brothers William and Duane. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, their children, Anissa, Green Bay, and Spencer (Traci), Verona, and grandchildren Ben, Jake, Madelyn, and Sam.

Jerry was an avid stamp and coin collector and loved to laugh, right out loud. He could often be found watching reruns of “Andy of Mayberry” as well as old favorite movies. In his various roles as husband, provider, and friend, Jerry touched and enriched many lives, and he will be deeply missed. Jerry enjoyed spending quiet times with his cat-pal of 19 years, Danno.

His soft-spoken and loving nature made a profound impression on his loved ones and on total strangers. Jerry’s greatest attributes were his compassion, thoughtfulness, ability to make others laugh and his open-mindedness. It was the things around him that Jerry never took for granted, commenting often how fortunate and thankful he was.

The family would like to thank friends who visited and gave support and provided guidance during this difficult time. Jerry would want you to know that you should not send flowers or anything else, but if you feel the need, you can donate to the Holy Spirit Parish Haiti Mission (Details at www.holyspiritstevenspoint/donations. Or just help someone who needs it.

Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.

For online condolences visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

“Time is too short for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice;
but to those who love – time is eternity.”
Henry Van Dyke