Obituary of Jere K. Kirst

Jere K. Kirst, age 80, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital in Weston, WI.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner, WI. Rev. Kevin Ader will officiate. Burial with full military honors will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Parish Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.

Jere was born on November 21, 1936 to John and Julia (Larson) Kirst in Wisconsin Rapids. He attended Nekoosa High School. Jere proudly joined the United States Army in 1954. He honorably served his country during the Korean War.  In 1958, he married the love of his life, Beverly Saeger.

He was extremely passionate about so many things, primarily his love for God and family.  He loved getting together for family events and holidays.  Jere was an avid hunter, fisherman, archer, and an expert firearms enthusiast and collector.  Some of his favorite times of the year were the opening days of hunting and fishing seasons. He was blessed with perhaps his best deer hunting season in 2016, when five family members harvested trophy bucks.

Jere and Beverly formerly owned J&K Archery Shop, a very popular and successful archery business. He was a master wood carver, and created beautiful wood carvings of wildlife and fish, as well as character figures. Many people were inspired by his talent and creativity.  Jere was also an aviation enthusiast, and earned his pilot’s license in the mid -1970’s. He enjoyed flying and attending aviation events with his son, Rick, who is a commercial pilot, and his grandson, Ryan, who flies for the Civil Air Patrol.  Jere started a Christmas tree farm in 1977, and managed it for many years. He was an active member at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner, where he served as an elder.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; children: Rick (Julie) Kirst and Debra (Dale) Vechinski; grandchildren: Ryan Vechinski, Josef (Sarah) Vechinski, Raquel (Louis) Molepski, Courtney (Ian) Schultz, Kaylee Kirst, and Whitney Kirst; great-grandchildren: Harrison Vechinski, William Vechinski, Morgan Vechinski, Eydn Vechinski, Julia Molepski, Louis Molepski III, Imogene Schultz, George Schultz, and Nigel Schultz; sister-in-law, Jean Kirst; and his loyal and beloved dog, Abby.  Jere is preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Kirst; and a brother, John Kirst.