Gerald "Jiggs" Meuret

Gerald “Jiggs” Meuret, born March 4, 1936, in Wausau, Wisconsin, left this earth on August 8, 2025, at the age of 89, at home, surrounded by his family and his beloved puppies.

The ninth of ten children born to Arthur and Emma (Janke) Meuret, Jiggs grew up on the family farm on Meuret Lane until leaving for college. His lifelong nickname began in childhood, when too many “Jerrys” made it hard to tell who was who, a mischievous horse named “Jiggs” at the Steiber Dairy in Wausau provided the perfect match for young Gerald’s spirited personality, and the name stuck for life. (After all, who else would paint their own name on the Schofield water tower?)

Jiggs attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Wausau High School, later transferring to D.C. Everest High School when it opened in 1953. He threw himself into school life, participating in plays and choir, serving as president of the E Club, junior class president, Homecoming King, and a Badger Boys State representative. A five-sport athlete, earning seven varsity letters in two years—football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, and track & field—he proudly scored the first touchdown in D.C. Everest history and was later inducted into the D.C. Everest Wall of Fame. Jiggs continued to support DCE and its athletics programs throughout his lifetime.

After graduating, Jiggs attended Stevens Point State Teachers College, where he worked his way through school while competing in football, wrestling, and track. He held the 220-yard hurdle record for many years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, later adding a Master’s Degree in English from UW–Madison.

Jiggs taught for one year in Amherst, Wisconsin, before returning to D.C. Everest, where for nine years he taught and oversaw physical education programs in the district’s elementary schools and coached football, wrestling, and track at the secondary level. Known for his rapport with students and colleagues, he is still remembered fondly by former athletes, classmates, families, coaches, and peers. Though his body endured the wear and tear of years of sports, he never regretted a minute.

While teaching and coaching, Jiggs met Bob Johnson and began selling mobile homes during the summers. Discovering he could make more in a summer than in a year of teaching and coaching, he purchased the business and founded The Housing Mart of Wausau, which he owned and operated for nearly 40 years on the city’s north side. Known for his generosity, knowledge, and willingness to help, Jiggs kept a red brick schoolhouse full of “parts that might be needed someday” and made service calls at all hours for his customers and friends alike.

Professionally, Jiggs served the Wisconsin Manufactured Housing Association as Chairman, Vice President, President, and on the Ethics and Dealer Committees. He and his wife, Jo, traveled extensively with Wick Building Systems, earning trips from his sales, forming lifelong friendships, and creating stories still told today with fondness. In 1987, he proudly threw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game as WMHA President, and in 2012, Jiggs was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

Outside of work, Jiggs loved hunting and fishing trips—especially to Canada and on his annual excursions to Mercer—where the stories (and laughs) flowed freely. In his younger days, he enjoyed snowmobiling in winter, and up until just a few years ago, he was always willing to snowplow anyone’s driveway. Summers found him boating on Lake Wausau or mowing for hours at the Meuret family farm with his sisters Dee and Shirl. At home, he kept a well-groomed yard and weedless flower gardens.

Jiggs was a collector of many things, including countless cars, tools, flashlights, nuts, bolts, water pumps, tubing, and every type of cord ever created—and if duct tape didn’t fix it, nothing would. His many collections often brought exasperation to his wife. His favorite car was his 1977 Excalibur, which brought him so much joy, especially when chauffeuring people to special events. He also had a special bond with dogs, earning the unofficial title of “dog whisperer” from every pet who met him. Lancer, Jezlei, Tonka, Reylei, Sofia Sunshine, Andy, Fred, Moses, and Otis all received his love.

Jiggs was a natural storyteller with a quick wit, always aiming to make people laugh, smile, or roll their eyes with his “dumb dad jokes.” His love of family knew no depths. He was a fierce protector and provider—always the person to call or come home to. From weekly telephone check-ins to watching live-streamed sporting events he couldn’t attend—or just getting the final scores—he was always there to support his family. He was a confidant to many and a father figure to his nephew Skip Tornow, who lost his own father at a young age.

He also loved his friends, and the Meuret home was a constant gathering place. His grandkids and great-grandkids always knew where the chocolate and candy were hidden, and everyone could choose from an array of food and drinks in the house. When his sister Dee died in 2014, he took on the tradition of speaking nightly with his sister Shirley about daily events, ending each call with: “God bless you, I love you, don’t forget to take your meds, talk to you tomorrow, bye-bye for now.”

On August 10, 1963, Jiggs married JoAnn “Jo” (Hanson) in Baldwin, Wisconsin, after meeting her while she was a student teacher at D.C. Everest. Together they raised three children: Kim, Jason, and Leslei.

Jiggs is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jo; daughters Kim (Jason) Baumann and Leslei (Joshua) Dickerson; siblings Shirley Meuret and Kenneth “Curly” (Karen) Meuret; grandchildren Anthony “Tony” (Ashley) Johnson, Ransom Dickerson, and Leila Dickerson; great-grandchildren Skyler Sitzberger, Joanna Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, and Owen Johnson; and many extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Bea (Jerry) Banks, Don (Katie) Meuret Sr., Dee Meuret, Gordy (Arlene) Meuret, Joyce “Burpie” (Meuret Tornow) Knapp, Bev (Jerry) Schulz, and Wally (Redda) Meuret; son Jason Meuret; and granddaughter Amber Lee Johnson.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson Street, Weston, WI 54476. Visitation will be from 12:00–3:00 p.m., followed by a service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Peace Lutheran Church in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Jiggs’ name is being established. Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.

Special thanks to his youngest daughter, Leslei, for being his constant companion and caregiver at the end of his life, along with puppies Moses and Otis, who did not leave his side. For three decades, Leslei and her family lived just next door, always there, always ready to help.

Jiggs accomplished many things in life, but what mattered most to him was how he made people feel—welcome, important, special, cared for, and loved. He will be deeply missed.