Jerry K. Nading

Jerry K. Nading, 66, of Sparta, died Saturday, October 30, 2021, at his home. He was born on January 23, 1955, to Anton and Doris (Neumann) Nading in Oelwein, Iowa.

Jerry grew up in Iowa and moved to Kinney Valley between Wilton and Ontario. He graduated from Royal High School. He served in the US Navy.

Jerry married Mary Muehlenkamp on October 24, 1981. In their early years of marriage, they lived in Wilton, where they had their first two children. Jerry worked at Kennes Transfer until being hired as a firefighter at Fort McCoy. In 1985 they moved to Norwalk, where they purchased a home that had an attached beauty salon. Jerry played a very active role in raising the children as Mary established her business. Their family continued to grow with the addition of two more children. During the years spent in Norwalk, he was a volunteer for the Norwalk Fire Department and served on the village board. He was a member of the Norwalk Lions Club as well as the Norwalk Trail Riders. He also coached many youth basketball teams, along with playing an instrumental role in organizing youth wrestling tournaments.  

In 1994, Jerry and Mary's dream of moving to the country came true when they purchased a home outside of Sparta. Jerry continued to volunteer coaching baseball, following his sons from the level of ragball through 14 and under. He then became a very dedicated fan through high school and legion ball. He was the rink manager and drove Zamboni for the Sparta Youth Hockey Association. After coaching his sons for many years, he switched gears to coaching his daughter's softball team. Jerry worked as a firefighter at Fort McCoy until he retired in 2012. Due to a firefighter's unusual hours, Jerry developed lasting friendships with people he considered his second family. After retiring from the Fire Department, Jerry decided that retirement wasn't for him and began driving school bus for the Sparta Area School District.  He enjoyed driving for sporting events especially football, wrestling, and dance. During the summer months, he worked for the Sparta Park and Rec Department mowing lawns at River Run Golf Course. 

The hope of owning land to share with his family came true in 2006. He was excited to have his own hunting property to instill the love of outdoors and hunting with his children. Growing their own apple orchard, was inspired from caring for a 7 acre orchard near Ontario where they started a co-op with family and friends. It was a good thing Jerry enjoyed mowing because most of his summers were spent doing just that. Although Jerry was born in Iowa, he was a true Wisconsinite always cheering on the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. Jerry's favorite title came in his later years when he became a Papa to his beautiful grandchildren. Most days included a drive up to their land, known as the property, along with visits to each of the grandchildren's houses. Jerry was well known for his warm hugs, witty sense of humor and his contagious smile that would light up a room. He was the type of person who would give the shirt off his back and drop anything to help others. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary Nading; children, Dan Nading and his children, Hudson and Sawyer, Jared (Kimberly) Nading and their children, Paisley and Payton, Brennen Nading, and Aleatra (Casey) Olson and their children, Oakley, Nolan, and Kennedy; sister, Sherri White; brother, David Nading; sister-in-law, Rhonda Nading; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Adrian Nading.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.

Family and friends are invited to call from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta. There will be a 6 p.m. rosary on Sunday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until time of Mass on Monday at the church. Online condolences may be offered to Jerry’s family at www.scahnhoferfh.com

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

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