Obituary for Gerald T. "Jerry" Felzien
It is with profound memories and honor that we announce the passing of our father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Gerald Teddy Felzien, from our world to his Heavenly Home. He was 100 years old, and lived a full life.
Jerry was born 1 of 6 farm kids in St. Francis, Kansas. He graduated from High School there in 1939, and played football on scholarship for Trinidad State Junior College in CO. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force beginning in 1941. He served our country in WWII, and was credited with flying 40 missions as a 1st lieutenant B-24 bomber pilot, mainly in Southern Italy and over 7 European countries. He returned, and had a successful sales career in industrial finishes for many years.
He married Jeanette (Cox) Felzien in 1946. They made their home in Salinas, KS and then onto Elm Grove, WI, where they enjoyed attending church, traveling, and spending time with friends and family until her death in 1985.
He then married Diane “Dee” (Burton) Felzien in 1988. They split their time between Danbury, WI, where they enjoyed golfing and the peace of the northwoods, and Brownsville, TX, where they wintered and enjoyed golf, community, and warmer weather.
He loved God, his family and his country. He enjoyed his family and friends and was always fully present with people, always smiling and quick to make everyone laugh. His passion was golf, and he claimed a few “holes in one” in his time. He loved fishing with his grandkids, gardening, dancing, watching sports especially his beloved Packers and Brewers, traveling, and telling stories.
His legacy lives on in his love for his country, spirit of strength, faith, grace, kindness, sense of humor, and joy. He was an example for us all; he lived a life of noble character and always had a never-give-up attitude. We will miss him greatly. We have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ that we will meet again.
He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Jeannette (Cox) Felzien; 2nd wife Dee (Burton) Felzien); his parents, Carl “Charley” Felzien and Eldora Bowans Felzien, and his 5 siblings.
He is survived by sons, Lincoln (“Craig”) Felzien of Pewaukee, WI; Charles (“Kent”) & wife Mary (Grandlich) Felzien of Brookfield, WI; grandchildren Kara (Felzien) Goodrick of Brookfield, WI; Kory (Felzien) Fasing of Denver, CO; & Brett Felzien of Milwaukee, WI; 5 great-grandchildren, nephew Doug Cox of MS and niece Leanne Cox of KS; as well as numerous other nieces and nephews and family members.
A memorial service will be held at Elmbrook Church on Friday, January 28th. Visitation at 12pm and service at 1pm with military honors. All our welcome at a reception to follow at Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove beginning at 2:30pm. Flowers can be sent to Elmbrook Church (777 S. Barker Rd., Brookfield) proceeding the service, or we’d love to suggest a donation to the “Honor Flight” program offered to military veterans, which he was a part of, in his name. Link found here: Donate Online - Honor Flight Network.
Jerry was born 1 of 6 farm kids in St. Francis, Kansas. He graduated from High School there in 1939, and played football on scholarship for Trinidad State Junior College in CO. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force beginning in 1941. He served our country in WWII, and was credited with flying 40 missions as a 1st lieutenant B-24 bomber pilot, mainly in Southern Italy and over 7 European countries. He returned, and had a successful sales career in industrial finishes for many years.
He married Jeanette (Cox) Felzien in 1946. They made their home in Salinas, KS and then onto Elm Grove, WI, where they enjoyed attending church, traveling, and spending time with friends and family until her death in 1985.
He then married Diane “Dee” (Burton) Felzien in 1988. They split their time between Danbury, WI, where they enjoyed golfing and the peace of the northwoods, and Brownsville, TX, where they wintered and enjoyed golf, community, and warmer weather.
He loved God, his family and his country. He enjoyed his family and friends and was always fully present with people, always smiling and quick to make everyone laugh. His passion was golf, and he claimed a few “holes in one” in his time. He loved fishing with his grandkids, gardening, dancing, watching sports especially his beloved Packers and Brewers, traveling, and telling stories.
His legacy lives on in his love for his country, spirit of strength, faith, grace, kindness, sense of humor, and joy. He was an example for us all; he lived a life of noble character and always had a never-give-up attitude. We will miss him greatly. We have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ that we will meet again.
He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Jeannette (Cox) Felzien; 2nd wife Dee (Burton) Felzien); his parents, Carl “Charley” Felzien and Eldora Bowans Felzien, and his 5 siblings.
He is survived by sons, Lincoln (“Craig”) Felzien of Pewaukee, WI; Charles (“Kent”) & wife Mary (Grandlich) Felzien of Brookfield, WI; grandchildren Kara (Felzien) Goodrick of Brookfield, WI; Kory (Felzien) Fasing of Denver, CO; & Brett Felzien of Milwaukee, WI; 5 great-grandchildren, nephew Doug Cox of MS and niece Leanne Cox of KS; as well as numerous other nieces and nephews and family members.
A memorial service will be held at Elmbrook Church on Friday, January 28th. Visitation at 12pm and service at 1pm with military honors. All our welcome at a reception to follow at Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove beginning at 2:30pm. Flowers can be sent to Elmbrook Church (777 S. Barker Rd., Brookfield) proceeding the service, or we’d love to suggest a donation to the “Honor Flight” program offered to military veterans, which he was a part of, in his name. Link found here: Donate Online - Honor Flight Network.