Vernon R. Jaeschke, age 88, of Tomahawk, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Vern was born on Sept. 15, 1934, in Tomahawk to the late Paul and Esther (Mott) Jaeschke.
He attended grade school and two years of high school in Tomahawk and later graduated from the Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, Wis., in 1952, and the Loma Linda University in 1961 as a physical therapist. Vern served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. In 1959, he was married to Shirley Kottke; she survives. Vern was a medic while serving in the Army and volunteered for Operation Whitecoat. His passion was to help people through his physical therapy.
Upon graduating from Loma Linda, he worked for 30 years in Janesville, Wis., at the Pember Nuezem Clinic and then Mercy Hospital. They moved to Waukesha in 1992. From 1992 to 1999, he worked for Performance Enhancement and in 1999, they moved back home to Tomahawk.
Vern enjoyed fishing, especially trout fishing. He loved a good deal, whether it was cars, boats, or anything. He owned a lot of things…simply because they were a good deal! Vern loved to talk and no one was a stranger to him.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Jaeschke; his daughters, Lori (Conrad) Waagen, and Karen (Jonathan) Perlberg; his sister, Vera (Donald) Antisdel; his grandchildren, James (Anayancy) Hopkins, Heather (special friend, Brad Mijal), and Samuel Hopkins; and his great-grandchildren, James “J.J.”, Benjamin, and Caitlin. Vern is further survived by his nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Esther.
Memorial services for Vern Jaeschke will be held at Tomahawk Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at 11 a.m. His family will receive friends at the church for visitation from 9 a.m. until the hour of services at 11 a.m. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory, Tomahawk, is assisting the family.