Bernard W. Jaeger

Bernard W. Jaeger of Chetek, WI passed away on August 23, 2021, at the age of 87.

Bernard was born on April 27, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI the son of Margaret and Emil Jaeger.

Bernard grew up in the Milwaukee area graduating from Menomonee Falls High School.  After high school, he started full-time employment with Wisconsin Bell. In June 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where would serve as a radio operator and electronics specialist, South Korea. He was honorable discharged in June 1959. He then resumed his employment with Wisconsin Bell for 32 years and retired with AT&T in March 1983.

Bernard married Joann Peters on September 6, 1958, in Milwaukee WI at Our Redeemer Luther Church where they raised their children, in the Colgate WI, Lake Five area. In June 1978, Bernie and Joann then moved the family to Chetek WI and built their new home on the Red Cedar River near Chetek WI.  Bernard enjoyed many activities throughout his life including hunting, traveling, building, and flying RC model airplanes.  He was an exceptional artist and took great pride in his award-winning paintings, drawings, and wood carvings. He also enjoyed being a licensed amateur (ham) radio operator. Bernard always enjoyed a competitive football game as a die-hard Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger football fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Margaret Jaeger, and siblings, Robert, Dorthea, Theodore, and Harlow.

Bernard is survived by his wife Joann of 63 years, children Julie Jaeger of French Gulch CA, Douglas Jaeger and his wife Perla of Dinuba CA, Steven Jaeger of Glen Flora WI, and Wendra Gierke of Chetek WI; grandchildren Ashley Mack and her husband Derrick, of Chetek WI, Miriam Gierke of Elmwood WI, and Ross Jaeger and his wife Samantha of Chetek WI; and four great-grandchildren, Aden, Breaker, Finley, and Rylan.

A memorial and military honors service will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. He will be laid to rest following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the charity of the gifter’s choice.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.