Obituary for Gerald W. "Jerry" Thorpe
Gerald W. “Jerry” Thorpe, age 69 of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, January 31, 2023, at his home following a three-year battle with renal cancer.
Jerry was born in Antigo, Wisconsin on March 13, 1953, a son of the late Ernest and Eleanora (Pecha) Thorpe. He attended school in Antigo, graduating from Antigo High School with the Class of 1971. Following high school Jerry attended NWTC where he completed the Law Enforcement program. He went on to work for the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department where he earned the rank of Sergeant, the Menominee Tribal Police, and the Shawano Ambulance. Jerry retired from law enforcement in October 2020.
On April 14, 1973, Jerry was united in marriage to the former Margaret “Maggie” Bretl at St. John’s Catholic Church in Antigo. The couple made their home in Shawano. Jerry enjoyed camping, fishing, and ham radio. He also enjoyed attending and volunteering at the EAA in Oshkosh. He was a lover of Irish music and frequented Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Jerry also loved traveling to Florida.
Survivors include his wife, Maggie Thorpe of Shawano; three children, Andrew (Amanda) Thorpe of New London, Steve (Andrea) Thorpe of Hartford, and Nora Thorpe of Menasha; two grandchildren, Ryan Thorpe and Becca Thorpe; two brothers, Tom (Joann) Thorpe of Wentzville, MO, and Daniel (Dana) Thorpe of Aurora, IL; his sister, Sue Schaus of Hubertus, WI; his brother-in-law, Dan Brown of Woodruff, WI; and his nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Brown, and his brother-in-law, Mark Schaus.
A memorial service for Jerry will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 10, 2023, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Steve Conradt will officiate. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Mattoon in the spring. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 am on Friday and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials in Jerry’s name to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, 311 N. Main St., Shawano, WI, or the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer’s Campground at www.wleoa.com then click on donate.
Jerry was born in Antigo, Wisconsin on March 13, 1953, a son of the late Ernest and Eleanora (Pecha) Thorpe. He attended school in Antigo, graduating from Antigo High School with the Class of 1971. Following high school Jerry attended NWTC where he completed the Law Enforcement program. He went on to work for the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department where he earned the rank of Sergeant, the Menominee Tribal Police, and the Shawano Ambulance. Jerry retired from law enforcement in October 2020.
On April 14, 1973, Jerry was united in marriage to the former Margaret “Maggie” Bretl at St. John’s Catholic Church in Antigo. The couple made their home in Shawano. Jerry enjoyed camping, fishing, and ham radio. He also enjoyed attending and volunteering at the EAA in Oshkosh. He was a lover of Irish music and frequented Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Jerry also loved traveling to Florida.
Survivors include his wife, Maggie Thorpe of Shawano; three children, Andrew (Amanda) Thorpe of New London, Steve (Andrea) Thorpe of Hartford, and Nora Thorpe of Menasha; two grandchildren, Ryan Thorpe and Becca Thorpe; two brothers, Tom (Joann) Thorpe of Wentzville, MO, and Daniel (Dana) Thorpe of Aurora, IL; his sister, Sue Schaus of Hubertus, WI; his brother-in-law, Dan Brown of Woodruff, WI; and his nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Brown, and his brother-in-law, Mark Schaus.
A memorial service for Jerry will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 10, 2023, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Steve Conradt will officiate. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Mattoon in the spring. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 am on Friday and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials in Jerry’s name to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, 311 N. Main St., Shawano, WI, or the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer’s Campground at www.wleoa.com then click on donate.