Gerald S. Hesselberg

Gerald “Jerry” S. Hesselberg, 85, of Sparta (formerly Bangor), passed away on Monday, July 2, 2024 at his home. Jerry was raised on a “round barn” farm off of Hwy 16. He was brought up by his grandparents, who adopted him. He attended Lower Big Creek grade school, Bangor High School, then Luther College.

Jerry started teaching Sciences, and coaching in La Farge, WI. During the summer, he attended the University of Iowa, and St. Mary’s, where he received his Master’s in Biology, on a government grant. He taught in LaFarge until 1979; then returned to school at Winona State University, where he completed a sixth-year certificate to become a High School principal.

Jerry loved sports. Any game that had a ball; from bowling to baseball; and excelled at both. He was a lifelong Cubs fan. Jerry loved his students and had 3 high school yearbooks dedicated to him. Jerry served as principal in Rushford, MN, Prairie du Chien, and Princeton, WI. He and his wife had a Bed and Breakfast in Princeton. After 9 years of running the B&B, they retired to Sparta, to be nearer to their children.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Lawrence, Wilmer, Al, Edna Mae Liedblad, LaVone Blahut, Buster, Ray, and Delores (Talu) Olson.

He is survived by his wife, Laurie (Laura Lee Davis) Hesselberg; a son, Guy (Laura) Hesselberg, of Bangor; a daughter, Jeri Lee (Phil) Weigel, also of Bangor; two granddaughters, Heidi (Jesse) Gennigan of Green Bay, and Melanie Weigel, a grad student at Mount Mary University, in Milwaukee; and many nieces and nephews scattered throughout the western US.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Chaplain Priscilla Hemmersbach officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date, in Big Creek Union Cemetery, rural Sparta.

Friends and family are invited for a visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, and 12 pm until 1 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Monroe County Historical Society for the Big Creek Church, Sparta United Methodist Church, or the Bangor High School Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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