Gerald “Jerry” Dean Kappler, died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 24, 2026 in Stevens Point, at the age of 85.
Gerald is survived by his siblings, Benjamin (Maryann) Kappler and Shirley (Jim) Watson, his children Michael (Jody) Kappler of West Bend, WI; Jeffrey (Julie) Kappler of Oostburg; and Jennifer (Dennis) Schwinn of Stevens Point; loving grandchildren, Alisha (Dan) Hirman, Malorie (Cory) Wotachek, Whitney (Joel) Nyhof, Linzy (Emilio) Reyes, Olivia Kappler, Morgan Kappler and Clayton Kappler; and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Jordan, Dawson, Vance, Mara, Thea, Myla, Aria and Everett, along with many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kappler; mother, Ruth (Rittel) Kappler; his siblings, Fred (Ileen) Kappler, Luella (Elmer) Werkmeister, Martha (Anthony) Conzemius, Samuel Kappler, Elsie (Kenneth) Harris, Robert (Dianne) Kappler, Merl (Shirley) Kappler, Reinhold Kappler, and James Kappler.
Gerald was born on April 16, 1941, in Armor, SD, to Robert and Ruth Kappler. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Airforce. After an honorable discharge from the military, Jerry moved to Wisconsin for work. There he met and married his soulmate, Carol Wernicke, on February 23, 1963.
Carol and Jerry lived and raised their family in West Bend. Jerry was a kind and generous man that loved to laugh, and always had a joke to tell. He worked as a licensed plumber for Culligan in West Bend, later starting his own business, Kappler’s Soft Water Service. He then sold his business and decided to take up driving semi-truck across country. Jerry loved driving semi and worked for many companies over the years.
In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed trap shooting, bowling, hunting, fishing, going to the casino and coffee clutching with friends at the local coffee shop. After Carol’s retirement in 1999, Carol and Jerry moved “up north” to their hideaway in the woods in Hancock, then moved to Plover, in 2016, where Jerry continued to drive semi until retirement in 2018.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, at Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095). Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 7, from 12 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Interment will follow at Washington County Memorial Park.
A special thank you to the caregivers, hospital staff, etc. at Dimensions Living in Stevens Point, WI and Interim Healthcare of Wausau, WI.
Phillip Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.phillipfuneralhome.com
