Gordon "Jake" Jodarski

After a long life of dedication to family, faith and community, Gordon “Jake” C. Jodarski passed from this life to the next in the early morning hours of November 14, 2019 at Brown-Wilcox Assisted Living in Berlin, WI, where he had resided for the past 9 months. He was 98 years old. Gordon was born on January 5, 1921 in Berlin, the son of Anton and Julia (Eichman) Jodarski. He attended St. Stanislaus Grade School and Berlin High School, graduating with the Class of 1938. During his high school years he met Margaret Lehman, who became his high school sweetheart, and then on December 27, 1945, his wife for 67 years. Gordon was always caring and supportive of his wife, but especially in the last four years of her life before she died in February 2013. Jake and Margaret were the proud parents of three sons; Jim (Ruth) of Berlin, Tom (Mary) of Mauston and Joel (Debbie) of Wautoma. They have six grandchildren, Liza, Katie, Kelly, Brian, Kari and David, plus 11 great-grandchildren. They taught their children the importance of faith, education, personal integrity and community involvement. Jake entered the Army in September 1942. He was in the Signal Corps in Europe for 37 months during World War II, serving in six companies, for which he received the Silver Star. He attained the rank of 1st Sergeant of ‘B’ Company while serving with the 926th Signal Battalion. His company supported the 9th Air Force in England before “D” Day. He served in Normandy, at the Battle of the Bulge and throughout all of Europe. For many years he talked about his experiences during the war with Gary Knoke’s high school history classes. In 2012, he was privileged to take part in the Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington DC with 79 other veterans of WWII. Upon returning from service in 1945, Jake started a 37½ year career with the local telephone company, and an even longer career in community service to the city of Berlin and the surrounding area. His “who’s who” includes a member of the city’s economic development corporation since 1975, Rotary president (a Paul Harris Fellow), past commander of the VFW, life member and past president of Berlin High School Alumni Association, 75 year member Knights of Columbus, member of Catholic Foresters, active member of St. Stanislaus and All Saints Catholic Parish, member and past president of Telephone Pioneers of America, former president of Trusdell Furs, served on Congressman Tom Petri’s Military Appointment Commission, 3 years alderman, four consecutive terms as Mayor of Berlin, and two additional terms as Mayor for a total of 12 years, member and chairman of the Berlin Community Development Corporation and Berlin Community Industrial Corporation, helping to develop two industrial parks and attracting many businesses to Berlin. One of the many awards that Jake Jodarski received was a beautiful glass trophy presented to him by the CEO of Magnum Products, Tom Joseph. The inscription beneath his name reads, “One man can make a difference.” That statement is so true for Jake. He touched and improved the lives of many individuals, businesses and the community as a whole. Jake enjoyed fixing neon signs, biking, playing golf, hunting, swimming laps (until age 95), fishing and spending time at his cottage on Little Silver Lake with Margaret and his family. Jake is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; June Richter, his special friend since 2013; special niece, Joanne Guden; other nieces, nephews, and relatives; good friend, John Kujawa and other friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, by his parents, brother Edward “Sut” (Jane) Jodarski, sisters, Delores (Bob) Neuberger and Mary Ann (Phil) Grundy, sisters-in-law Josephine (Phil) Harris, Isabelle (John) Pick, brothers-in-law Walter (Julie) Lehman, and Edward (Margaret) Lehman. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the Berlin Catholic School Endowment Fund has been established. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Brown-Wilcox, Agnesian Hospice Hope, Dr. Budde, Dr. Maes, Sr. Michaeleen Frahm and Fr. David Greenfield for their loving care of our Dad. May he rest in the peace of Christ.

Gordon "Jake" Jodarski

January 5, 1921 - November 14, 2019