Where Caring Is A Family Tradition
Where Caring Is A Family Tradition
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Jerome “Jerry” Lee Olkiewicz, 72, Eureka, passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. He was born the son of William and Stella (Berlowski) Olkiewicz. Jerry served with the United States Army from July 1969 through July 1971 where he spent his military career as a medic in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. He worked in general psychology, burn counseling and the drug detoxification program during his service in the Army.
Jerry was employed at Winnebago Mental Health Institute and the Oshkosh Correctional Institute. He retired after 30 years of employment with the State of Wisconsin.
Jerry was co-owner of Jerry’s Bar in the Van Dyne area from 1975-1985. The bar provided Jerry a circle of friends he held near and dear to his heart today. After the sale of his bar, he moved to Eureka where our parents owned and operated Bill and Stel’s Bar for 50 years. He agreed to help our mother operate the bar due to our father’s poor health. Upon our parent’s death, Jerry became the cornerstone of the bar for 23 years. He followed in our parent’s footsteps and created a family-oriented establishment for the local community. Jerry took great pride in decorating the bar for each holiday or season. The Christmas snowflakes were his favorite. It was the look on the customer’s face as they saw all of the beautiful snowflake designs that made the hours of cutting snowflakes worthwhile. Jerry enjoyed donating to and supporting various charities. Special Olympics held a very “heartfelt” place in his heart each year raising money from the annual snowflake fundraiser.
Jerry had the ability to touch your heart with his kindness and compassion. His sense of humor was his greatest gift. He had an uncanny ability to tell stories and jokes to his family, friends and customers. He brought joy to the room and his laughter was not just contagious, it was infectious. Jerry was a vital energy to our family. He was so proud of our family and the relationships we shared. He was especially proud of his nieces and nephews and their accomplishments. He gave his love unconditionally and the love was returned unconditionally. His spirit will be with us always.
To the Eureka community of friends, we thank you for all the support you provided to Jerry. He appreciated all of the little things you did to make his life easier. His family is grateful for your kindness and generosity. To his “social group” of dear friends, relatives, customers, and co-workers near and far, each of you touched his life. You will be forever appreciated for filling Jerry’s life with love, laughter and friendship. We cannot thank you enough…always in our hearts.
Jerry is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Mary) Olkiewicz and their children, Kirsten Wilson and Will (April) Olkiewicz; David Olkiewicz’s children, Christopher (Beth) Olkiewicz and Scott Viertel; Robert Olkiewicz and his children, Dawn Sippl, Tami (David) Hunt, Rob Olkiewicz and Carrie (William) Schettle; his sisters, Kathy Erickson and her children, Mary (Steve) Sernka, Anne (Steve) Cowling and Steve (Pam) Erickson; Vicki (Dan) Schuster and their children, Scott (Anna) Schuster and Kimberly (Michael) Hughes; and Rose Olkiewicz and her children, Abby (Taylor) Bahn and Michael Moldenhauer. He is further survived by 28 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, William and Stella Olkiewicz; brothers, William Olkiewicz and David Olkiewicz; brother-in-law, William Erickson; nephews, John Erickson and Matthew Olkiewicz; great-nephew, Evan Schettle; great-niece, Taylor Danke.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, March 25, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church 730 Madison Ave. Omro. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Fr. Joseph Mattern will be the celebrant. The Mass will be livestreamed; go to stmarychurches.org, click on St. Mary Church's-Omro. Burial with military honors will follow at the Eureka Cemetery.
A memorial will be established to Jerry’s favorite charities.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.
Peggy (Schulze Jurjevich) Lefeber & Jim wrote on January 7, 2022
Our sincere sympathy to Jerry’s entire family. Rose and Kathy - I am so sorry for your loss. He was truly one of a kind. I have so many memories of the years he ran Jerry’s bar. Of course at that time I lived across the street. What a hoot he was! He certainly became a very good friend of our entire Schulze family. With love and sympathy - all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chuck Parsons wrote on January 5, 2022
My sympathy to the Olkiewicz family on your loss of Jerry. I have many memories of my years in Eureka.
Lauren Laabs wrote on January 3, 2022
Too many memories to recount here but Jerry (and family) were such an integral part of our growing up in Eureka. He’ll be missed
Mark H Sedarski wrote on January 2, 2022
To all of Jerry's family & friends, my deepest condolences. Your entire family, Bill & Stel's, and Jerry, were a most special place to the Sedarski/Markofski family. It's where my folks met, and for the rest of their lives held a special place in their hearts. Jerry and my father were pals, and especially in my father's later years Jerry & the place meant a great deal to him. Somehow, I can almost hear the laughter of many re-united souls in heaven. May God comfort you all in your loss. Rest In Eternal Peace Jerry.
Carol wrote on January 2, 2022
Thanks
Carol Laabs Barkow wrote on January 2, 2022
We grew up next door to the Olkiewicz family in Eureka. Jerry and I were the same age so we were best of friends. I remember playing together when we were 3 years old. We rode bikes, played softball and spent summers having fun. My sister and I kidnapped Jerry when we were small because we wanted a groom when we played “bride”. We had to tie him up and put him in our wagon to drag him into the game. We were in4H plays and high school drama club together. By high school we helped each other throw parties and shared rides to school and everywhere else. I still know the Olkiewicz phone number by heart. (6854954). Jerry was a great friend and a very good man. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The world was a better place because Jerry was in it. Rest In Peace dear friend.
Ann Kelm wrote on January 1, 2022
Jerry was a friend form early childhood to the present and I always made it a point to visit when I visited Wisconsin. My deep sympathy to the Olkiewicz family. Never a better fish fry anywhere than at Bill & Stel's!!! Many fond memories of the family!!!
Evil Roy Slades wrote on December 31, 2021
Jerry was an incredible person. He made everyone he met feel special and loved. Will remember the great stories and shorty beers we shared. Love to all
Jim Wolff wrote on December 31, 2021
My condolences to the Olkiewicz family.
jacqueline (Engstrom) Eichman wrote on December 31, 2021
I went to school with Jerry and considered him a friend. He was a joy to be around. I am sorry for your loss. Even though I lost touch with him after graduation I did run into him occasionally while I still lived in Omro. I will miss him, but I have fond memories of our time together in high school.
Lori White wrote on December 29, 2021
I am sorry for your loss he will be truly missed
Mel & Sandy Cerney wrote on December 29, 2021
Rest in peace Jerry . He was one great guy when we came for fish and the packer games in the past !!!