FENNIMORE – Jerry Fred (Jessie) Doan, age 79, passed away on Thursday February 13, 2014 at Boscobel Care and Rehab in Boscobel.
Jerry was born on January 30, 1935. The son of Frederick John Doan and Pearl Mae (Johnson) Doan, He the youngest of nine children. He Graduated Fennimore High School in 1952 where he played basketball, football, baseball and was King of his junior prom in 1951. After high school he spent one year in Houston, TX where he played baseball in the minor leagues for the St. Louis Cardinal Farm team. He then went to work on an oil rig in Lake Charles, LA. He returned to Fennimore in 1954 and started work at the Fennimore Coop Creamery where he became a licensed butter and cheese maker. In 1958 he entered the military and served in South Korea until his discharge in 1959. Upon returning from serving his country, He continued working for the Creamery, now Country Delight Inc. In 1964 he was transferred to Chicago, IL where he served as a Laboratory Supervisor for 32 years. He also was a registered Sanitarian for the State of Illinois and worked with the Chicago Board of Health. He retired from now Swiss Valley Farms in 1997. He worked part time for Enterprise car rental driving a shuttle bus to and from Midway Airport until 2004. He also was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On May l, 1965 he married Dagna Marie Peterson of Fennimore at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boscobel, WI. ; The Reverend Leroy Peterson officiating. Jerry was very proud of his military service. Serving 17 months in Seoul, South Korea, working in the administrative office of 8th Army Headquarters under a major general, three full colonels and 12 lieutenant colonels. He received several citations for meritorious service. It was his dream to see a veteran’s memorial built in Fennimore. A memorial dedicated to all veterans in the Fennimore Area. He was the driving force in this effort and with the help of the entire community was proud to see its implementation and pending completion.
Jerry was highly insulted when he was referred to as “only a peace time era” veteran. It was his hope that the new memorial would be a reminder to everyone that EVERY veteran gave something for their country. Many still struggling with the agony of war and the thousands who died. A sign of hope for those still serving in harms way.
Jerry is survived by Dagna, his loving wife of 48 years and three children. Darren (Ruth) Doan, Palos Hills, IL, Debra (Richard Jr.)Schneider, Mokena, IL, and Derrick (Shana) Doan of Woodridge, IL, four grandchildren; Tanner and Brayden Doan and twins Rachel and Richard Schneider, seven special grand-paws; Cassie, Jessie, Naomi, Stewart, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Trixie and Jinx.
He is also survived by his sister, Caroline of Ladysmith, WI, sister in laws; Audrey Doan, Betty Burkeland, Clara Peterson and Joyce Peterson all of Fennimore, WI, Dorothy Doan of Prairie du Chien, WI and Marge Peterson of Abilene, KS, brother in laws; Carl Peterson of Fennimore, WI, Roy (Lavonne) Peterson of Sparta, WI, Oscar (Connie) Peterson of Woodman, WI, Bill Meyer of Madison, WI and 48 nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Royce and Glenn Doan, four sisters; Virginia Manross, Eileen Becker, Joan Ruetten and Jeanne Graham, nephew Alan Doan and a niece Patricia (Meyer) Brun.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday Feb. 17, 2014 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery with Military Honors. Pastor Charles Miller will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 P.M. on Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the church on Monday morning. In lieu of plants and flowers a memorial fund in being established in loving memory of Jerry F. Doan.