Obituary of Gerald "Jerry" Tanck

Gerald “Jerry” C. Tanck, age 66, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids.  Father Patric will officiate.  Burial will be at Maine Cemetery in Plover.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend at time of visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Jerry was born December 2, 1951 in Wausau, Wisconsin to Donald and Clarice (Gustafson) Tanck.  He was raised in Stevens Point and graduated from PJ Jacobs High School.   Jerry furthered his education by graduating from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in business and marketing. 

After graduation, Jerry accepted a marketing position at a Kresge store (later K-Mart) in Kingsford, Michigan.  He worked in management with K-Mart his entire career at stores throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.  He was assistant manager at K-Mart in Wisconsin Rapids until it’s closing and retired from K-Mart in Waupaca due to ill health.

Jerry was united in marriage to Josie Orgish on May 18, 1974.  They were blessed with the birth of two children: Jason and Jeremy.  Josie preceded Jerry in death.  Jerry was then united in marriage to Jennifer Herman on April 17, 2009.

Jerry took great pride in providing for his family.  He loved helping others and would give you the shirt off his back.  Jerry loved baseball; he played in Little League and Adult Slow Pitch Softball Leagues.  He enjoyed being outdoors fishing with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  Jerry was a train hobbyist and loved building model railroads in his home.  He was an animal lover and spoiled the many dogs he had over the years.  Jerry had a great sense of humor and was known to be a bit of a teaser.  One of his favorite lines was “My greatest accomplishment in life was making life miserable for both of my wives”. He loved classic movies, 60’s and 70’s rock, game shows, sweets and pizza.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jennifer; two sons: Jason (Jenny) Tanck and Jeremy (Leslie) Tanck; two step-sons: Michael Mertz (Craig Van Ert) and Derek Mertz; grandchildren: Naomi, Rachel, Isabella, Hailey and Kaleb; step-grandchildren: Maddesyn, Callen and Samantha; his mother and step-father: Clarice and Con Mossak; two sisters: Kathryn (Bob) Bronk and Donna (Ron) Buelow; brother: David (Judy) Tanck; brother-in-law: Randy (Bea Jaye) Herman; sister-in-law: Sandy (Wally) Schoenick; and mother-in-law: Geraldine Herman.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Donald.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be serving the family.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.