Jerold C. Christel, age 86, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers, WI, surrounded by family.
He was born August 28, 1935 in Valders, son of the late Victor and Alverta (Matznick) Christel. Jerry was one of the many great grandchildren of William F. Christel of Valders. In the large family lineage, Jerry was the oldest & only son of Victor, Victor was the oldest son of Isidore, and Isidore was the oldest son of William F. Christel. Jerry graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, class of 1953. He served in the US Coast Guard from 1954-1958, eventually spending many hours working in the Manitowoc Lighthouse on duty. He then began selling insurance and securities at the Wojta Insurance Agency. Retiring from the Insurance Center of Manitowoc in 1998 due to medical reasons.
He married Ellen Wojta, June 27, 1959. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis, and travel. He went on many hunting trips to Colorado, Wyoming, and Canada. The last two hunting trips were with son, for Moose and Black bear. For many years, he went on a houseboat in Canada with his close friends, duck hunting and walleye fishing.
Jerry was also a member of the YMCA in Mtw. spending many hours playing racquetball and tennis. He was also a member of a local tennis league enjoying traveling to tournaments.
Ellen and Jerry enjoyed traveling throughout their marriage to the Caribbean and Mexico. When the children got older they enjoyed traveling in a motorhome as a family. He also enjoyed a trip to Europe with his daughter.
In 1980 they welcomed an exchange student, Meta, to become their Swedish daughter, She had been a penpal of their daughters since 1972 and remains their daughter to this day.
In 1999 Jerry and Ellen retired to Meta Lake, Eagle River,WI. In God’s Country with family and friends for 23 years, In 2021 due to Jerry’s health they relocated to Harborview assisted living.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen, children, Dale (Ellen) Christel, Jodi (Stephen) Moretti, Manitowoc, Brad (Dawn) Christel, Arlington Heights, Il, Swedish daughter, Margareta Wellander, Bollnas, Sweden. Grandchildren, Molly (Brent) Kuehl, Madeline Christel, Max Moretti, Avery Christel, and Benett Christel. One great grandson, Colby Kuehl. Sisters, Joyce Morris, Naples, Fl, Joan Carlson, Roundlake, Il. Along with other family and friends. Proceeded in death by his daughter, Lynn Marie in 1966, his parents Victor and Alverta Christel, his in-laws, Wilbur and Evelyn Wojta, Brother in laws, F. James Morris, and Jerry Carlson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to American Diabetes Association.
A memorial service will take place at 3:00pm on Thursday May, 26, 2022 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc. Following the service, military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 88, Mtw. Officiating at the service will be Deacon Steve Zimmer. Jerold will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, on a later date. Family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00pm until 3:00pm on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the Christel family with funeral arrangements.
