One of Slinger's brightest lights was extinguished with the passing of Jerry Gundrum on Sunday, December 26, 2004.
He was born April 15, 1922, in Hartford to the late Frank and Frances (Wiedmeyer) Gundrum. He attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Slinger and graduated from Slinger High School in 1939 where he enjoyed competing in baseball, basketball, and track.
He was employed at Gundrum's Meat Market in Slinger through September 1942 when he was drafted into the United States Army. Following Basic Training, he attended Infantry Officers School at Fort Benning, GA, graduating as a Second Lieutenant in May 1943. He served in Africa and Italy with the 85th Infantry Division and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and received a battlefield promotion. He was one of Slinger's most decorated war heroes.
After his discharge in May 1945, he was employed at Zwald's Mill in Slinger for seven years as a bookkeeper. He started his own insurance agency in 1953 in Slinger and sons John and Larry took over the business in 1981 when he retired.
Jerry was united in marriage to Marguerite "Mickey" Schmitt on September 23, 1944 in Slinger, at St. Peter's Catholic Church.
He was a lifetime member of St. Peter's congregation in Slinger, serving as Secretary for four years and as an usher for forty years. He also served on St. Peter's Buildings and Grounds Committee.
He was a sixty-year member and past Commander of Zunker-Held V.F.W. Post in Slinger, and the leader of the annual Memorial Day Parade for over fifty years. Jerry was a charter member and past President of the Slinger Advancement Association. He was also a charter member and past President of the Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.
He served eight years as President of the Slinger Development Corporation and was very instrumental in getting the Dico Corporation of Des Moines, Iowa and M.B.W. Corporation to build facilities in Slinger, which provided hundreds of jobs for the community.
He served as a volunteer on the Village Park Commission for twenty-five years and worked to develop both the Community and Firemen's Park. He was co-chairman of the Slinger 100 year Centennial Celebration in 1969.
He enjoyed golf, fishing, playing cards, and watching sports on T.V., and for the past twenty years Jerry and Mickey have spent the winter months at their retirement home in Winter Haven, Florida.
He was the loving husband of Marguerite and they enjoyed traveling to Europe, England, Hawaii and Alaska.
He is also survived by six children, Marilyn (Bill) Hebert of Waukesha, William (Mary Lee) of Pewaukee, John (Suzanne) of Big Cedar Lake, Larry of Slinger, Nancy (Bob) Schultz of Slinger, Rick (Kelly) of Slinger; eleven grandchildren, Julie (Chris) Becker, Eric Hebert (fiancAC.e Pahla Schutte), Kristen Hebert, Kathryn (Michael) Dangerfield, Gregory (Amanda) Gundrum, Laurie Gundrum, David Gundrum, Brad Schultz, Ryan Schultz (fiancAC.e Jennifer Bartol), Derrick Schultz, and Wyatt Gundrum, and four great-grandchildren; A brother Roy (Jeannette) of Slinger; two sisters, Bernice Scott of Slinger and Marian (John) Thoma of West Bend; a brother-in-law Jerome Brodzeller of West Bend; two sisters-in-law, Annette Wiedmeyer of St. Louis, MO, and Geraldine (Robert) Konrath of Slinger. Further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Reverend Anthony Gundrum; two sisters, Lucille Schaefer and Frances Brodzeller; two brothers-in-law, Matt Schaefer and Robert Scott; and sister-in-law, Isabelle Weber.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 29th at7:00 pm at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Slinger. Rev. Richard Stoffel will be the presider. Visitation will be Wednesday at the church only from 4:00 pm until the time of mass. Interment will be in the old St. Peter's Catholic Church Cemetery on Thursday, December 30th, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter's Catholic Church or the Slinger Park and Recreation Fund would be appreciated.