Gerald "Jerry" Francis Neisen

Gerald “Jerry” Francis Neisen, age 86 of Oshkosh, was called home to Heaven on Thursday, August 22, 2024, just in time to celebrate his first heavenly birthday in all of God’s glory. He was born in Austin, MN on August 22, 1938, to the late Raphael and Frances (Raker) Neisen. 

He grew up in rural Minnesota on the family farm with no hot water and slept on a straw mattress. Naturally, he had to work on the farm. When he got to junior college, he told his mom that he had to drop out to milk the cows… his mother sold the cows within a couple of weeks and said, ‘work with your head not your back’.

Jerry attended Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). He met Elizabeth “Liz” Hayles at a sorority dance at the Pfister Hotel Milwaukee, and they became dance partners for life. They were united in marriage at St. Sebastian Catholic Church on April 28, 1962, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Jerry brought fun, excitement and moments of pure joy to their marriage and the family they created together. His love was strong and enduring. He always had a sparkle in his eye when he found the perfect gift, from the latest appliance (like the very first circulating microwave or, a new mixer or sewing machine) to exotic flowers with bamboo, bird of paradise and orchids and unique jewelry from their many travels. Jerry and Liz carried the same dance enthusiasm that joined them together throughout their lives, the many ballrooms and parties, these two were always on the dance floor be it in a tuxedo or, at a pig roast with cut off Budweiser shorts.

Jerry was honored as the prestigious Alumni of the year in 1963 from Milwaukee School of Engineering, and his multiple patents speak volumes of his engineering accomplishments. He was Thunderbird University of International Business in 1992, Cross Functional teams in 1993 and Certification Team Building on the “7 Habits” in 1992. He was proud to say he sponsored numerous Mercury management programs and is featured in Mercury Marines companies’ history book. Jerry was instrumental in a retail store he and Liz pursued for several years, called Design 6. True to his roots, it was not uncommon for Jerry to go out to the family farm to bale hay or package beef.

Jerry worked for 30 years at Mercury Marine and retired as Vice President at Mercury Marine Engineering. Prior to this, he worked at General Dynamics and was a designer on the Red Eye Missile System in California. A position at Oshkosh Truck Corporation was the motivation to move to Oshkosh where he primarily raised his 6 children. To summarize, David Jones, former president of Mercury Marine and friend said it so eloquently: 

“No one has got as much out of life than Jerry and Liz. A couple that were fun, and full of mischief. Jerry made a huge impact at Mercury Marine and was one of the key people that turned that company into the world’s largest and best marine engine company. His DNA is embedded deeply within the products produced today."

Jerry was a faithful follower of his Catholic faith, and it was important to him that he raise his children through the Catholic school system. He was always doing his best to volunteer at St Vincent’s and later Lourdes School events to include calling out Bingo, coaching a season of 5th grade basketball or driving an entire team to a tournament in his Winnebago camper.

Jerry loved activity. He was an avid hunter of all game and it’s evident in a cornucopia of his collection of bears, elk, moose, fish, foul etc. His motivation to move to Alaska was one to obtain a license to hunt the dream. Working at Mercury and living on the lake was a blessing and he taught his kids to swim, ski, snowmobile, ice skate and to also operate all of the recreational vehicles that go with the lake at early ages. He was proud to know that his children could change out a starter, drive a stick shift or dive for an outboard motor “gone down” in murky lake Winnebago to his credit. Jerry along with Liz was the Chapter couple of the year for one of his favorite clubs Gold Wing Road Riders (GWRR) and in 2008 he was co-chair in the Retread Motorcycle club State rally that he was instrumental in starting up. Jerry also had worked on getting his pilot’s license, a testament to his daring, no fear personality. Watching Jerry dance was always entertaining, ballroom or doing the hand jive, he never failed to get everyone else out onto the floor with his hands crisscrossing his knees and his thumbs pointing back over his shoulder. His actions on the volleyball court, the pool slide or at the many family campouts cooking his famous ‘pinwheel’ the memories are so many!

Jerry’s vibrance will forever be cherished in the hearts of his loving family; his dance partner and wife of 63 years, Liz Neisen; children and their spouses, Jerry Alan Neisen (Dawn), Kathleen Williams (Paul), Barbara Neisen-Davis (preceded, Daniel), Karen Dumke (Thomas), Nancy Schultz (Grant), Daniel Neisen; grandchildren and their spouses: Jeremy Neisen (Holly), Brittany Neisen, Jessica Williams, Aaron Williams (Jordan), Calisa Davis, Nilsson (Kylie Schmid), Addison Dumke (Vy), Talon Dumke, Graham Dumke (McKenzie), Jolene Schultz (David Cotterill), Tara Hoppe (Eric), Ashley Neisen, Emily Neisen (Jackson Nourse), Izabella Neisen (Brandon Morgan); great grandchildren, Ivy & Jade Neisen, Ashton Williams, Daniel Davis, Lavinia & Augustus Dumke, Palmer Hoppe, Bentley Nourse, Eleanor Morgan; siblings and their spouses, Beverly Helfritz, John Neisen (Ann), Ruth Paulson; sisters-in-law, Marion Neisen and Jean Beachdel. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends for over 40 years Loren & Joan Voss and Jane Martell Stroebel. He was also blessed with close Minnesota family of origin, colleagues and friends, too many to count, you know who you are!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Neisen; brothers-in-law, Robert Helfritz and Wayne Paulson; dear friend, Doug Martell.

A Mass will be held at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 1225 Oregon St. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Louis Golamari officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass with all in attendance welcome to join the family for a luncheon immediately following downstairs. A private interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.

A scholarship legacy in Jerry’s name will be set up for students pursuing an engineering degree.