Jerry Weipert

Jerry K. Weipert, 65, of Waukon died Saturday, June 3, 2023 at his home. At his request, a private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In light of his passing, please feel free to share your favorite memory of him, something that would encapsulate who he was; there would be no better way to honor him.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

Jerry Keith Weipert was born March 5, 1958 in Wauzeka, WI, the youngest child of Leonard and Ruth (King) Weipert, with two older brothers and two older sisters. When asked about his childhood, it was tough, but one he didn’t make excuses for as an adult.

Jerry grew up working alongside his family on a farm in exchange for a place to stay and had to make do with what they had. This played a part in his love for working outside and wanting to be his own boss as a carpenter. After graduating from MFL/MarMac High School in Monona, Jerry began his carpentry career.

He was very charitable when it came to running his business; he would often be told by friends and family, as well as his clients, that he should be charging more for his excellent work. Jerry responded, “No, let everyone else charge more. Not everyone can afford those prices. We have what we need and I don’t want others to struggle to provide for themselves and their family because I charge so much.”

He was also a lifesaver. In one instance in Lansing, he pulled a young girl out of the Mississippi River. She and her friend were down at the boat dock; she fell in and Jerry heard them yelling for help. He went running over and pulled her out before it was too late. Another instance, he saw smoke coming from a house and ran in to let the people inside know their house was on fire and to get out.

Jerry was a lover of all the Chicago sports teams, especially the Cubbies. He enjoyed spending time fishing, gardening, tending to the flowers and plants around the house, mushroom and ginseng hunting, as well as golfing until slowly his injuries started getting the best of him and started to limit his mobility. Over the years, he broke more ribs than we can count, threw his back out time and time again, had cuts, bruises, scrapes, a busted collar bone/shoulder, a minor heart attack he never knew he had, and then a major heart attack, which really took a toll on him a decade ago.

He was a special man and would get up and face the day with as much optimism as he could muster. He worked until he just couldn’t do it anymore. The arthritis in his right wrist caused a large golf ball-sized bump from all the years of swinging his hammer and manipulating that drywall mud trowel.

Several years ago, his heart was broken when his four-legged little girl, Crickett, passed away. She was always by his side and they had a special bond. They were so close that every night before he would go to bed, Jerry would go over to her box of ashes and touch it and say, “Good night, Crickey, I love you, be a good girl.”

April 28, 1978, Jerry married the love his life, Katie Baxter, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. He would do anything he could to protect and provide for her. There are a few stories of him having no hesitation standing up to someone who would be giving Katie grief, no matter how big and strong they were. He also showed no fear when it came to protecting his children.

He loved getting updates about his grandkids as well. He loved to interact with them in person as much as through video chats, texts and phone calls. Seeing video clips of school concerts, dance contests, athletic events, and other activities they were involved in brought joy to him and he was quick to share with others the exploits of his grandkids up in Canada.

An amazing man, husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend, Mighty Mouse gave it his all until his heart finally gave out and he passed away peacefully at home.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Katie, of Waukon; two children, Joseph David Weipert (Rachelle Sutherland) of Alberta, Canada and Kimberly Lynn Weipert (Jenna Wheeler) of Vinton; his grandchildren, November, Daulton and Cashton Weipert; his brother, Tom (Gloria) Weipert of North Carolina; and his sister, Marie Grimes of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rita Deeny; and his brother, Leonard Weipert.