Washington Co., WI – Francis J. “Jerry” Wanty, 94, of the Town of Jackson died peacefully at home with family by his side and his caregiver Cabby Chiyoowa from Touching Hearts, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. He was born October 30, 1929, in Milwaukee to the late Earl and Catherine (nee Hughes) Wanty.
After graduating from high school, Jerry enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Korean War, earning the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze campaign stars. Following his discharge, he returned to the Milwaukee area.
On September 25, 1954, he was united in marriage to Beverly A. Bojack at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church. Bev passed into the hands of our Lord, November 27, 2015.
Jerry was an amazing person. Everyone loved him. When his kids were small, he spent a little time in the stock car racing pits, helping his friend Kenny. In 1968 he purchase land on Lake Winneconne where he built a cottage and spent countless summers with the family. Later on, he had a snowmobile and helped form several snowmobile clubs and associations. He belonged to the Germantown Snow Drifters, Jackson Moonlighters, Washington County Snowmobile Association, Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs, and the Antique Snowmobile Club of America. He held many positions in each of these clubs over the years. He was a DNR Snowmobile Safety Instructor for years teaching kids how to drive safely. He moved his family out to Jackson to be near the trails. His interests included restoring antique snowmobiles with his son Kurt and has antiques in the Snowmobile Museum in Eagle River. He was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in September of 2013.
After he retired from construction and carpenter work, he bought an RV and joined two RV Clubs, Wisconsin Voyagers and Badgers and traveled around the country with Bev. He got into a winemaking club and started to make his own award-winning wine. One of the first wines he made, Wild Black Raspberry, took first place in the State Fair. On Sundays in the summer, he went back to the racetrack. He did some work in the pits for a while but became a fan of the Prunty family and cheered from the stands.
If that wasn’t enough, he joined two legion posts, American Legion – Lt Ray Dickop Post 36 in West Bend and Peter Wollner Post 288 in Cedarburg. He was in the Honor Guard and blew the bugle for at least two funerals a week. In 2016 he went on the Honor Flight and cried the whole time. It was so amazing to him.
Survivors include 3 children: Patrick (Lorrie) Wanty, Kurt Wanty and Julie (Mark) Podjaski; son-in-law Larry Liukonen; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 sister Marie (James) Rae, 1 brother-in-law Duane (Jean) Bojack; other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by 2 children, Teri Liukonen 51 and Scott Wanty 66.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to Peter Wollner Post 288 American Legion in Cedarburg, Lt. Ray Dickop Post 36 American Legion in West Bend or the Antique Snowmobile Club of America in Eagle River.
