Jerome H. "Jerry" Draeger, 93, of Racine, passed away at the Hospice Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. He was born in Racine on February 20, 1932, the son of the late William C. and Laura (nee: Forster) Draeger.

Jerry graduated from St. Edward Catholic School and St. Catherine's High School, Class of '50. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and volunteered to go to Korea. He served as an infantryman with the 7 ^th Regiment, 3 ^rd Division. In September of 1952, Jerry was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. In 1954, Jerry was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class.

After returning home, while working full time at Webster Electric and raising a family, Jerry attended the University of Wisconsin-Extension Racine and the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science.  He received his funeral directors license in 1958 and proudly served the Racine Community for over 33 years. Along with his father, William, and brother, Martin, Jerry owned and operated the Draeger Funeral Home. In 1977, Jerry formed a partnership with Gary Langendorf, and the funeral home became known as the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. He later retired, but when the new funeral home was constructed, Jerry came out of retirement to manage and operate the onsite crematory.

Jerry had a love of reading novels, historical and military books, and enjoyed his time spent in Door County, Wis.  He was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church, served as President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, was a member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board, a Past President of the Tuesday's Optimist Club, and a member of Roma Lodge.

Surviving are his children Dave (Kathy) Draeger, Jay (Leda) Draeger, Steve (Fai) Draeger, Kay Shalbrack, Joseph Presta, Laura Rannow, Christine (Gary) Sorensen, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and his first wife Marie Ruppert (nee: Gottfredsen). Also surviving are sister-in-law Mary Draeger, his niece, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his second wife Carol A. (nee: Calkins) Draeger, his son-in-law David Shalbrack, and his two brothers, Martin, and William C. (Bill) Draeger, Jr.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Home Harbor Assisted Living, Aurora Medical Center Mt. Pleasant, Hospice Alliance Hospice House, and family friend, Marilyn Rentz for their kind and compassionate care.

Service Details

The celebration of his life will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, June 29 ^th at 4:00 p.m. followed by full Military Honors. Relatives and friends can meet with the family from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Private entombment will take place in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

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