Obituary of Jerome Charles Zygowicz

Jerome C. “Jerry” Zygowicz 1936-2023

Age 87, of Colby, passed away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center with his wife by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at St. Mary Help of Christian’s Catholic Church in Colby with Rev. Arockia Amirtha Raj Stanislaus officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Tuesday for a time of visitation from 9 AM until the time of service. Following the Mass, Jerry will receive full military honors provided by members of the Colby VFW Post 2227. The honor of pallbearer belongs to: Jerry Boxrucker, Mark Fischer, Tim Heindl, Tom Heindl, Bill Heindl, Mike Heindl and Jim White.

Jerry was born on October 28, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Marion (Stroik) Zygowicz. He was a graduate of Colby High School, Class of 1955. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and served his country until his honorable discharge on April 19, 1960. Jerry was an Airman 1st Class and a Military Honor Guard at Hickam AFB - Hawaii. On January 7, 1961, Jerry was united in marriage to the former Bonnie Fischer in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby. She survives. Before enlisting, he worked with his dad on the family dairy farm, worked in a logging operation, and even dug graves for the tiny cemetery across from the family farm. Jerry was a long-time employee at Packaging Corporation in Colby until his retirement at age 61 ½.  Jerry’s final position at Packaging was as Transportation Foreman.

Jerry was a member of St. Mary Help of Christian’s Catholic Church in Colby. He also served in The Boy Scouts of America for more than five decades (50+ years). Jerry earned the rank of Star Scout as a young man and began a lifetime of adult volunteering as Scoutmaster with Troop 383 of Colby. Jerry was Scoutmaster from 1964-2005 (41 years). He was active with “scouting” well into his early eighties. Troop 383 had 18 Eagle Scouts (his son Keith was the 6^th) under his leadership. He earned the Silver Beaver which is the adult equivalent of an Eagle Scout.

Jerry also volunteered for his community with the fire department and EMS squad. He was a volunteer member of the Colby Fire Department from 1964 to 1996 (32 years) and served as the department secretary. He also volunteered hundreds of hours as an EMT for Colby EMS over 44 years. He received a legacy stone at The Highground this past August. Jerry - Thank you for your service to your country, your community, and the youth of your community. You touched and enriched many lives.

Along with serving as Scoutmaster, Firefighter and EMT, Jerry enjoyed spending his time hunting, fishing, camping, going to the cabin since 1976, woodworking, and attending Green Bay Packer games at Lambeau Field and across the country with his daughter. They even attended a Badger Bowl game. Jerry loved to travel this country and was only two states away from traveling to all 50 states. He missed deer camp with his son Keith and grandson Kalvin for the first time this month. 

Those who will cherish his memory most include his loving wife of 62 years and 10 months, Bonnie; his children, Karla (Scott) Halverson of Weston and Keith (Carol) Zygowicz of Milltown; his grandchildren: Kalvin (Lauren) Zygowicz of Colfax, Kaina Zygowicz of Washington, DC, Eric Anderson of Cumberland, and Sara Anderson of Luck; his great-grandchildren: Dylan Christie, Brantley Berget, and Wade Forester; his sisters-in-law: Janice Heindl and Marie Fischer along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marion Zygowicz.

If desired, memorials in Jerry’s name may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Mercy Ships Organization.

Jerry’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.