Gerald R. Reeck, age 78, of Clintonville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Gerald Roger Reeck was born on January 17, 1941 in the Town of Dupont, Waupaca County, to the late Emil and Cora (Thompson) Reeck and grew up in the Clintonville area. Jerry was united in marriage on April 8, 1961 to Bernice M. Knapp at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek. He was employed at FWD Corporation in Clintonville for 43 years. Jerry worked in various different areas but spent many years in the Trim Line Department, retiring in 2008. During the time he worked at FWD, Jerry also did upholstery work for many years out of his home workshop, called Reeck Upholstery. Jerry is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville. He always enjoyed horses, especially showing off his team of Percherons. Jerry liked deer hunting, annual family camping trips, and riding his Harley-Davidson trike. He certainly enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada and going ice fishing in Minnesota. Jerry will be remembered most for his wonderful sense of humor and as quite the jokester. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Bernice; and eight children: Debbie (Dale) Schmandt of Clintonville, Greg (Jaime) Reeck of Marion, Jeff (special friend Heide) Reeck of New London, Cindy (Jay) Pethke of Iola, Randy Reeck of Menasha, Ronald (Lori) Reeck of De Pere, Lori (Steve) Dillenburg of Shawano, and Mike (Anne) Reeck of Manawa. There are 22 grandchildren: Ryan (Erin) Schmandt, Nikki Schmandt, Aaron (Lindsey) Schmandt, Stephanie (special friend Rell) Reeck, Ashley (special friend Todd Moder) Huey, Autumn Fahser, Jeremy (Samantha) Pethke, Heather (Dennis) Arndt, Brittany (special friend Ryan Ferge) Pethke, Kyle Reeck, Madelyn Reeck, Hunter Reeck, Kaitlyn (special friend Jon Laude) Dillenburg, Taylor Dillenburg, Dalton Dillenburg, Courtney Dillenburg, Remington Reeck, Jaelyn Reeck, Mikyla Reeck, Colton Reeck, Malachi Matz, and McGregor Matz. There are 15 great-grandchildren: Porter, Grayson, Kingston, Nyles, Brynnlei, Lula, Layla, Lane, Journey, Hazel, Hope, Joseph, Aaron, Payton, and Averie. There are two sisters, Sandy (Richard) Hidde and Shirley Vande Ven, both of Clintonville. He is further survived by two sisters-in-law, Karen Reeck and Donna Griffin; two brothers-in-law, Leon (special friend Cheryl Gustafson) Knapp and John Knapp; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws Albert “Bud” and Madeline Knapp; a grandson Austin Reeck; one brother Carlyle “Sonny” Reeck; and three brothers-in-law, John Vande Ven, Harold Griffin, and Robert “Bob” Knapp.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville. Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O.Praem officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery. Visitation was held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the mass at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting the family.