Jerome (Jerry) Buboltz, 86, died Thursday morning at Door County Medical Center Skilled
Nursing Facility where he had been a resident for 11 months.
Jerry was born on December 12 th , 1933, to the late Reuben and Helen Buboltz in Brillion,
Wisconsin. Never one to ask for permission, on June 5 th , 1954, he eloped with his sweetheart
Margaret “Marge” (Gorr). They enjoyed 30 years together before she passed in 1984. They
raised 7 children in Sheboygan, all of whom survive him: Vickie (Jerry) Dassler and
granddaughters Amy (Brian) Fogarty and Beth (Craig) Joyce; Cheryl Buboltz; Mike (Pat) Buboltz
and granddaughter Nikki, Steve (friend Lori) Buboltz and grandchildren Little Steve (Tina) and
Shannon; Jerome “Scotty” (Rachel) Buboltz and grandson JJ; the “oops” twins; Rick (Ann)
Buboltz and grandchildren Paige and Cale; and Randy (Pam) Buboltz and grandchildren
Brooklynn and Brody.
He was also blessed to share time with eleven great grandchildren: Amy’s children Margaret
“Greta”, Jackson, Sebastian, and Nicholas; Little Steve’s children Hailey, Zeke, and Paityn; and
Shannon’s children Vincent, Tahlia, Max and Allania.
He is survived by a sister, Gloria Kenneke, of Freeport, Illinois, and numerous nieces and
nephews across the country.
He spent the later years of his life with friend Linda Austreng, who survives him as well.
Jerry made his way through life with hard work and determination. He worked many years at
the Vollrath Company (1967-1985), rising from laborer to general supervisor of the sand
foundry. Then, he worked 10 more years at the Kohler Company before “retiring” in 1996.
Thereafter, he worked for himself, spending most of his time remodeling houses and
landscaping. He was still mowing lawns for customers in 2016 at age 83. Outside regular work
hours he often was busy helping out others pouring driveways, or building decks and garages.
He was nicknamed “Itchy” because he always had a project he was itching to get at. His
passions were working with his hands and creating something special out of something very
ordinary. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, cutting lawns, going “Up North”, eating licorice/peanut
butter cookies and “storing up” things he would need in the future (4 barns full in fact). His
friends and family knew they could turn to him in need.
Jerry loved attending NASCAR races with his sons, watching the Packers – taking special delight
when they beat the Cowboys, and gathering with family and friends wherever he could. Even
when ultimately limited by Alzheimer’s he was honest, quick with a joke and still sharp at
playing Sheepshead – grinning every time he took quarters from the great grandkids. He
exemplified to each of us a great work ethic every day and his guiding hand will be on our
shoulder forever.
All in all, his was a life well lived.
Thank you to the outstanding staff at the Skilled Nursing Facility who lovingly and
compassionately cared for dad during his time there.
Per Jerry’s wishes there will be no visitation. A private service for immediate family will be held
with entombment at Garden of Peace Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, please donate in memory of Jerry to the
Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. It is a disease which steals
memories from us and which we need to overcome.
“As long as we remember a person, they’re not really gone.
Their thoughts, their feelings, their memories, they become a part of us.”
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