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Life Story for Gerald Dale Wacker
Gerald Dale "Jerry" Wacker passed away on January 26, 2018, at his home surrounded by family in Hood River, Oregon. Gerald was born on June 18, 1933, and was 84 years of age at time of passing. His first eight years were spent in western Nebraska where he was born. At the beginning of WWII, his parents Carl and Sarah Wacker with his sister Nancy moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Jerry graduated from Lincoln High School and attended the University of Nebraska. In 1951 met the love of his life, Geraldine "Jerrie" Bauer. A year later in 1952 they were married. Jerry worked for Norden Laboratories, a Veterinary Pharmaceutical firm in management and sales.
In 1953 their first daughter Nancy was born. In 1954 Jerry and family were transferred to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he set up a branch office for Norden Lab. While managing the lab he took classes at Indiana University and Purdue. In 1956 his second daughter, Vickie was born.
In 1959 Jerry & Jerrie bought their first home in New Haven, IN, there he formed the Home Owners Association, joined the Jaycees, and organized a Swim Team. In 1961 their son Bart was born.
After many years in Indiana, Norden transferred Jerry to Hillsboro, Oregon, where he worked until retirement after 35 years with the company. He attended Portland State and was a volunteer with the Crisis Center in Portland for 2 years.
Jerry loved adventure. He spent time traveling, camping, fishing and hunting, many of these trips were shared with wife, Jerrie, daughters, Nancy & Vickie, and son, Bart.
Jerry retired to Hood River, Oregon in 1994 and spent time building their last home. Jerry also spent time in various parts of the world, the Amazon River in Peru, climbed mountains in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, many trips to Alaska, hiked the Appalachian Trail, plus many trips within the USA. Jerry and his wife also enjoyed many leisure trips to Hawaii, Germany and Austria. The family made several trips to the Oregon Coast. Jerry volunteered at the Discovery Center in The Dalles identifying and logging artifacts for over 6 years, also a volunteer at the Carousel Museum taught swimming for the handicap adults and kids at the Hood River Pool and was a volunteer for Pine Grove School for 5th grade field trips.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jerrie of Hood River, OR; daughter, Vickie Sciacca (Ben) of Stevenson, WA; Daughter Nancy Ericson(Howard) of Columbus, Ohio; son Bart Wacker of Beaverton, OR; grandchildren, Clint Bradshaw(Sarah), Kendal Cederstam, Nathan Ericson(Megan), Matthew Ericson(Ailisha), David Ericson(Betsy), Joel Ericson and Nicholas Sargent and great-grandchildren Bradley Ericson, Olive Ericson, Deacon Ericson, Dexter Ericson, Cougar Ericson and Jody Ericson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Sarah Wacker and sister Nancy Hesson.
Disposition was by cremation with his ashes being sprinkled around his garden and along the Oregon Coast which he loved.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm Saturday March 24, 2018 at Hood River Adult Center (2010 Sterling Pl, Hood River, OR, 97031). In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's honor can be made to the American Cancer Society for Pancreatic Cancer Research (American Cancer Society PO Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123) and to the Heart of Hospice in Hood River (2621 Wasco Street Hood River, OR 97031).
The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful people at the Heart of Hospice and Bobbi's Way who took such loving care of Jerry.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Jerry graduated from Lincoln High School and attended the University of Nebraska. In 1951 met the love of his life, Geraldine "Jerrie" Bauer. A year later in 1952 they were married. Jerry worked for Norden Laboratories, a Veterinary Pharmaceutical firm in management and sales.
In 1953 their first daughter Nancy was born. In 1954 Jerry and family were transferred to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he set up a branch office for Norden Lab. While managing the lab he took classes at Indiana University and Purdue. In 1956 his second daughter, Vickie was born.
In 1959 Jerry & Jerrie bought their first home in New Haven, IN, there he formed the Home Owners Association, joined the Jaycees, and organized a Swim Team. In 1961 their son Bart was born.
After many years in Indiana, Norden transferred Jerry to Hillsboro, Oregon, where he worked until retirement after 35 years with the company. He attended Portland State and was a volunteer with the Crisis Center in Portland for 2 years.
Jerry loved adventure. He spent time traveling, camping, fishing and hunting, many of these trips were shared with wife, Jerrie, daughters, Nancy & Vickie, and son, Bart.
Jerry retired to Hood River, Oregon in 1994 and spent time building their last home. Jerry also spent time in various parts of the world, the Amazon River in Peru, climbed mountains in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, many trips to Alaska, hiked the Appalachian Trail, plus many trips within the USA. Jerry and his wife also enjoyed many leisure trips to Hawaii, Germany and Austria. The family made several trips to the Oregon Coast. Jerry volunteered at the Discovery Center in The Dalles identifying and logging artifacts for over 6 years, also a volunteer at the Carousel Museum taught swimming for the handicap adults and kids at the Hood River Pool and was a volunteer for Pine Grove School for 5th grade field trips.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jerrie of Hood River, OR; daughter, Vickie Sciacca (Ben) of Stevenson, WA; Daughter Nancy Ericson(Howard) of Columbus, Ohio; son Bart Wacker of Beaverton, OR; grandchildren, Clint Bradshaw(Sarah), Kendal Cederstam, Nathan Ericson(Megan), Matthew Ericson(Ailisha), David Ericson(Betsy), Joel Ericson and Nicholas Sargent and great-grandchildren Bradley Ericson, Olive Ericson, Deacon Ericson, Dexter Ericson, Cougar Ericson and Jody Ericson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Sarah Wacker and sister Nancy Hesson.
Disposition was by cremation with his ashes being sprinkled around his garden and along the Oregon Coast which he loved.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm Saturday March 24, 2018 at Hood River Adult Center (2010 Sterling Pl, Hood River, OR, 97031). In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's honor can be made to the American Cancer Society for Pancreatic Cancer Research (American Cancer Society PO Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123) and to the Heart of Hospice in Hood River (2621 Wasco Street Hood River, OR 97031).
The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful people at the Heart of Hospice and Bobbi's Way who took such loving care of Jerry.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
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