Jerome John Prigge formerly of Sheboygan and Crystal Lake passed away on Tuesday, July 20
at Sheboygan Health Services at the age of 93 where he had been a resident since August of
2019.
Jerry was born in Sheboygan on July 26, 1927, the son of the late John and Lucille (Trossen)
Prigge. He attended local schools and was head cheerleader his senior year in high school at
Sheboygan North. He did two separate one-year stints in the Navy including one after his junior
year of high school. He served his country at the end of WWII on Saipan and came home to
finish school and graduate with the North High Class of 1947.
On May 19, 1951 he married Joyce Messner. They raised four children and enjoyed 68 years of
marriage together, living in Sheboygan and starting in 1965, spent their summers on Crystal
Lake. In 1981, after their children had all married, they moved permanently to their summer
home on the lake. Jerry loved walking the 4-mile road around the lake with his buddies Dr.
Roger Wilke and Jim Martin, both who proceeded him in death. He loved having his family
come out to swim on Sundays and was very proud of his yard and flowers and always enjoyed a
boat ride around the lake. A memorable event was when he would dive into the lake and swim
from their pier to the nearby island. His kids loved to swim along with him, especially his
daughter Jerilynn. Jerry and Joyce loved the lake and as the years passed, stayed in their home
as long as they could, until he got sick in late May of 2019 and entered a nursing home. Joyce
was lost not having Jerry by her side, and she passed away just a few weeks later on June 24,
2019.
Jerry attended Sheboygan Business College for a year and in 1949 started working for his
father at the Blue Arrow Auto Laundry. It was during that time that his parents, John and Lucille
purchased Marsch Bus Service in Sheboygan, which was the beginning of his almost 70-year
career in the school bus, motorcoach and tour business. In the early years, Jerry drove school
bus and helped in the car wash, with an occasional sports trip at night. In 1956, he was joined
by his brother Jim and together they built the bus company into one of the most respected
coach and school bus companies in Wisconsin, eventually adding a full-service travel agency,
Discovery World Travel in 1976.
Jerry was president of Prigge’s School Bus Service and Discovery Coach until his retirement in
1993. He served a term as the president of the Wisconsin School Bus Association and was very
active in the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association. He loved attending
the annual school bus and motorcoach conventions. As the company grew, he was able to drive
less and spend more time in the office, but he still loved driving when needed. He bustled with
pride every time they took delivery of a new school bus or coach. Even well into his 80’s he
would always come into the office when a new bus arrived. He was affectionately called “Jolly”
by his family and employees.
After retirement, he continued to drive both school bus and coach until he was in his early 70’s.
When he gave up driving, he loved being a tour escort for Discovery Tours and did so for many
years. Jerry was a favorite among the tour customers because as Joyce would say, “Prigge you
have the gift of gab”. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed meeting new people and
sharing his love of motorcoach travel. In his later years, he was happy just going along on
coach trips to Brewer games, The Fireside Theater and the State Fair-where he always made
sure to bring home a cream puff for Joyce and buy himself some crazy gadget.
Survivors include his daughters Jerilynn (Phil) Boettner, and Jody Call; sons Dennis (Julie) and
David (Jodi) all of Sheboygan. His brother and business partner Jim (Pat) Prigge of Elkhart
Lake; a brother-in-law Ken (Mae Jean) Messner and a sister-in-law Julie Messner. Further
survived by 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joyce, son-in-law Terry Call, sister-in-law
Jackie Prigge, brothers-in-law Harold Messner and Brian Messner, his parents John and Lucille
Prigge and his in-laws Francis and Adalia Messner.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will take place on Tuesday, August 10 at The Chapel of Eternal Light
located in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6706 Superior Avenue, Kohler. Family will receive visitors
from 9-11am and a brief service including military honors will take place afterward.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jerry’s name supporting local
charities and organizations.
Upon his arrival in heaven, Joyce looked at him and said.”Jerome…where the hell have you
been and what took you so long? Get me a glass of wine and turn up the thermostat…it’s
freezing in here.”
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