Erwin "Bud" Jaeger

Erwin “Bud” Douglas Jaeger, age 94, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 21, 2021.

Bud was born April 9, 1926, to Irma Eda (Coerper) Jaeger and Erwin “Irv” Frank Jaeger in Wausau, Wisconsin where he remained a life-long resident. Upon graduating from Wausau High School, Bud enlisted in the Army on June 28, 1944, and was sent to Fort Sheridan, IL for basic training. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he spent a year at UW Madison and went on to graduate from Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN.

After graduation, Bud returned to Wausau to help run the family business, Jaeger Baking Co. He married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanne T. Kleinheinz on September 3, 1949. After selling the bakery in the late 1960s, Bud earned a Realtor License and eventually become a partner in Central Beer Distributors. Bud and Jeanne loved to travel. Beer conventions, Olympics, and cruises took them throughout Europe, The Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hawaii, The Caribbean, and to their beloved Sint Maarten, NA where they had a condo for winter vacations. Bud also loved spending summers at the cottage his family built on Pike Lake. There, he kept and rode horses, liked to watch golf, and swim with his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kind heart, wanderlust, and great sense of humor. He was a well-known entrepreneur in the community, but his biggest quiddity was his generous spirit as he always enjoyed helping those around him.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne, mother Irma and father Irv. He is survived by his sister Beverly and her spouse Donald Seaholm, daughter Deborah and her spouse James Falkowski, grandchildren Casimier Falkowski and his spouse Rachel, Derrick Falkowski, Zora Falkowski, and many nieces and nephews.

Bud’s family would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the following:

Dr. Ivan Schaller and his staff at Marshfield clinic, for more than thirty years of excellent medical care. Bud couldn’t have thrived as long as he did without them; Dr. Stephen Fox for his miraculous surgical skills and home visits; The wonderful staff at Primrose Retirement Community where he lived for the past 11 years; Brett and the rehab staff at Benedictine in Wausau for their patience and perseverance and finally Nurse Hannah and the compassionate staff at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau where Bud spent his final days. These people were truly God-sent.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, March 29, 2021, at 11:00 am at St. Florian Parish, 500 Church Lane, Hatley, WI. Fr. Greg Bohren will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of service. The American Legion, Montgomery-Plant-Dudley Post 10 will be performing military honors. Following the service, Bud will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send a donation in Bud’s name to the Marathon County Humane Society, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or the VFW.

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