Jerome 'Jerry' James Goossens

Jerome "Jerry" James Goossens, age 93, of Woodville, formerly of Baldwin, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 6, 2025. He was born to John and Erna (Hansing) Goossens at the family homestead in Emerald Township. He grew up in Glenwood City, where he attended Glenwood City High School.

In the early years of his life, Jerry enlisted in the Armed Forces, proudly serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He took great honor in his service, carrying ammunition in the early morning hours to the front lines. Though very humble about his military service, his face would light up with a wide smile whenever someone thanked him. Jerry also cherished being an active member of the Baldwin American Legion Post 240. Many will remember his warm smile as he greeted guests and took tickets at the Legion's famous chicken dinners. He especially enjoyed visiting the school on Veterans Day-most of all when his grandchildren Jonathan or Amber were there.

In his younger years, Jerry loved playing fast-pitch softball and wetting a line fishing. He treasured taking his grandchildren Jonathan and Amber out fishing, where they will forever remember Grandpa's homemade sandwiches and the laughter-filled moments-especially when Grandpa's hook ended up in the tree branches along the shore. Sundays were reserved for cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers and the Brewers.

On August 25, 1956, Jerry was united in marriage to his soulmate, Audrey Alvera Larson, at Woodside Lutheran Church in Baldwin. Together they shared a devoted marriage built on family, faith, and hard work. Over sixty-nine years, their love and dedication to one another only grew stronger. When Audrey entered the nursing home, Jerry remained faithfully by her side, honoring the vows he had made.

Jerry learned the value of hard work early in life, working for Stan Thompson in the fields and barn. He later purchased the family farm in Emerald Township, where he and Audrey raised their family and enjoyed their years together before retiring from farming and moving to Baldwin. Following farming, Jerry worked many years in construction with Walt Steneman's Concrete, where he was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and steady presence as a crusher. He concluded his working years at Weiser Concrete in Maiden Rock.

Jerry was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Nothing brought him more joy than time spent with family. He enjoyed making his holiday Tom and Jerry mix to share with others, along with his homemade vegetable soup-both offered with the same warmth and generosity that defined his life.

He is survived by his wife Audrey; children Doug (Abbie) Goossen, Randy (Kathy) Goossen, and Bruce (Christine) Goossen; grandchildren Jonathan (Danielle) Goossen, Amber (Steve) Klein, Lauren (Clay) Curry, and Michelle McIntyre; great-grandchildren Jaxon and Lincoln Klein, Riley Goossen, Etorie (Austin) Curry-ChalFant, Lance Kidd, and Addison Curry. He is further survived by siblings Myrna Larson and Terry Goossens; sisters-in-law Marlene Goossens, Evelyn Fordahl, and Janet (Kevin) Johnson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Jerry is preceded in death by an infant son; his parents John and Erna Goossens; in-laws Clarence and Alvera Larson; brothers Lawrence (Eleanor), Clarence, John, Ronald (Shirley), Delmar; sister Doris (Marvin) Teigen; and siblings-in-law Robert (Dorothy) Larson, Marion (Floyd) Peterson, George (Mardell) Larson, Audley Larson, Donald Larson, and Phil Fordahl.

Funeral service for Jerry Goossens will be 3:00PM, Friday, December 12th at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church Friday afternoon. Memorials preferred to the Baldwin American Legion and Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Burial with full military honors provided by the Baldwin American Legion Post 240 will be in the Baldwin Cemetery. Funeral services entrusted to the O'Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin.