Of Menomonee Falls, WI. Born on January 1, 1928 and passed away on November 17, 2019. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-1947 and was stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois in the 9th Naval District in the IBM Personnel Accounting Office. He was a 1951 graduate of the University of Miami. In 1957, he married his beloved Elizabeth ("Betty" Redmond), and they were happily married for 54 years until Betty's death in 2011. They were the loving parents of Cathy (the late Roger) Franklin and Ellie (Jim) Hughes of Bellingham, WA; the late Caroline Claussen; Dave Claussen (Naomi Waxman) of Chicago, IL; and father-in-law of Dr. Maureen McKnight of Shorewood, WI. Jerry was the proud and loving grandfather of Kevin (Dominique) Claussen, Jeff and Bryan Hughes, Chloe and Allegra Franklin, and Henry and Maggie Claussen. He will be remembered fondly by many lifelong friends and family across the U.S. and by nieces, nephews and special friends Dan Dohrn, Louie Romell, Mary Ciocarelli, Chuck Burroughs, and Audrey Norris. He was preceded in death by his sister Elaine Claussen Dyer and by his parents Bessie (Eggert) and Detlef Claussen.

Jerry made an impact on people whether he gave them advice, had a pleasant conversation with them, made them something for them in his woodworkers shop, or gave them a small business loan. Moss did not grow on him. He traveled the world and was industrious nearly every moment of his almost 92 years on this earth, starting a successful plating company at age 42 and remodeling his home (and others too) with his craftsman's eye and vast knowledge and skills. He had a to-do list every morning and faithfully checked off each item. He was meticulous in his methods and did not suffer fools. He was honest, generous and kind, and a man of his word. Jerry was a sweet talker who loved to laugh and through no fault of his own was occasionally overserved. Simply put, he was a hell of a guy.  And we will miss him terribly.

Private services were held.