Jerome “Jerry” Loop, age 86, of rural Brandon, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully – with family by his side – on Sunday, July 6th, 2025.
Jerry was born on February 11, 1939 in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Claude and Marian. The family later moved to Western Fond du Lac County, where Jerry became a proud Class of 1957 graduate of Waupun High School.
In 1962, while at a roller rink, he met the love of his life, Barb (nee Huberty). They had their wedding on April 29, 1963 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage together. Over the years, they raised three children and experienced many of the flavors of a rich marriage.
Following high school, Jerry joined the United States Army. Shortly afterward, he was deployed to Korea after the war and always looked back proudly at his service there. Additionally, he quickly rose to Staff Sergeant, while also being seen as a potential candidate for boxing in the armed forces, along with an Army Ranger.
However, in seeking to start a family, he opted to leave the Army and work as a civilian. Yet, as a saying might go, a man can leave the Army, but the Army will never leave the man. And that was the case with Jerry. The principles he learned there were still ever present all the days of his life.
After the Army and on a professional level, he started taking various roles with increasing success. Eventually he spent over twenty years as a business agent with the Teamsters.
Among many roles, including organizing and negotiating for a variety of companies, he relished fiercely fighting to do what was right for his members. (assuming, of course, they were doing the right thing) Through his actions, employees experienced a strong advocate for their livelihood, an unstoppable force for any employer that was not treating someone right, while being a bit of a candid counselor for those he knew were wronging the company.
Outside of work, Jerry enjoyed many hobbies and most notably, musky fishing. He was a proud member of the Winnebagoland Musky Club and, for over 30 years, he was the Secretary or Director for The Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin. In that latter capacity, he served with numerous leaders throughout the state and among many of the things accomplished, they started the National Championship Musky Open, held in Eagle River, Wisconsin, which is considered the largest amateur musky tournament in the world, with over 1,000 participants every year.
In the autumn, Jerry loved to hunt deer with the bow, shotgun, and muzzleloader. He did this all the way through the 2024 hunting season.
In addition, Jerry and Barb enjoyed snowmobiling throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and the Pelican Lake area.
Among a countless list of incredible traits, Jerry had a warm personality, a tremendous sense of humor, and made friends very easily.
Jerry is survived by his beautiful loving wife, Barb, along with their three children, Susan Loop, Brenda (Bryan) Bard, and Gary (Jennifer) Loop. He has two grandchildren, Brendan (partner, Zamary) and Justin Bard; sisters-in-law, Betty (partner, Mel) Halle, Dee Dee (Dave) Nett, and Kathy (Dave) Huberty; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude and mother Marion, and sisters-in-law, Mary Krenn, and Rose Roberts.
A private service will be held with a Celebration of Life tentatively scheduled for a later date. The Celebration of Life details will be updated on www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made - to a charity of your choice - in Jerry’s name.
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