Gerald DuWayne Wick

Gerald DuWayne Wick, son of Percy T. Wick and Viola Nel Wick, was born, December 10, 1932 in Park Falls, Wisconsin. He passed to Heaven on September 22, 2026 at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. He was 93 years old.

Jerry’s formative years were spent in Merrill, graduating from Merrill High School in 1950. After one year of college, he joined the Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA, serving as the ship’s yeoman, in other words, maintaining all mail, records, etc. He was honorably discharged in September 1955.

Just before discharge, in June 1955, Jerry married Ann Edmund, also of Merrill, a marriage that lasted 71 years.

Then he resumed his secondary education, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stout State College, now UW-Stout. His first teaching job, in 1960, was in Hayward, Wisconsin, then a couple other places before landing in Stevens Point. He taught, what one mother called the “fun stuff”, or shop: woodworking, metal working, welding, etc. He and a teaching partner introduced computers at the junior high level. That was the beginning of computer classes in the Stevens Point School District. He always laughed that they told the kids, “Be careful not to screw up, because we don’t know how to fix it”. This was the age of the Commodore 64 at Walmart.

Jerry’s sons, Dave and Dan, were born in Hayward and Stevens Point. Dan enjoyed flying with dad. That brings up another thing, while in Stevens Point, Jerry took flying lessons and became a licensed pilot. Unfortunately, at that time, we couldn’t afford the air time. Dave learned how to “fix stuff” working with Dad on cars and building the new house. Jerry and Dave are both avid “fixers”.

Jerry really enjoyed his retirement years. He had fished in Canada almost every year. Now he could spend a week at a time at the cabin on the Flambeau River. While there, he fished and loved to walk in the Chequamegon National Forest across from the cabin.

Jerry and Ann camped in every kind of camping equipment, from the back of their station wagon, to a small motorhome. They were members of Valley Bummers, a Good Sam Club, camping mostly around central Wisconsin, but attending “Samborees” in other states also.

Jerry and Ann wintered in Texas for more than 20 years. They especially enjoyed a day in Progresso, a small Mexican border town, having pedicures with margaritas, shopping the street vendors, and lunching. For most of those years, many of Ann’s family members were in Texas also. Lots of fun together.

Retirement was when they began to travel, both domestic and international. They visited every state and about 20 countries. Favorites were a summer-long Alaska trip with Verna and Ray, and touring Australia/New Zealand with Dick and Sherry.

Jerry had a good life! He loved music and sang in church choir for 25 years.; he liked board games and card games, especially Euchre and Cribbage; He was an avid reader and played Hearts, solitaire and did jig saw puzzles on the computer.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Ann; sons, David (Pippa) Wick of Anderson, South Carolina and Daniel (Melanie) Wick of Janesville; step-grandsons, Stefan (Nicole) Jacobson of Portland, Oregon and Kyle (Kaitlyn) Jacobson with their children, Henry, Vivian and Brooks of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon Wick, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Viola Wick; brother, Richard Wick; and Ann’s parents, Harold and Irma Edmund.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made in Jerry’s name to Merrill Food Bank, Never Forgotten Honor Flight, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful people who cared for Jerry at Aspirus Hospice House. They are truly loving, caring people.

The Memorial service will be held on November 2, 2026 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at 11:00 am, family will begin receiving guests at 10:00am. Burial will immediately follow the service at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. The State Honor Guard and local VFW will be conducting Honors for Jerry at the graveside.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com