Gerald J. "Jerry" Anstett died on February 8th, 2023, in Plover, Wisconsin, at the age of 98. He was the last of nine children, 7 boys and 2 girls. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Irene (Bisch) Anstett; daughter Deborah Anstett, husband David Dekker, Plover, WI; granddaughter Kathryn Anstett-Dekker and fiancé Jeremiah Petersen, Stevens Point, WI; grandson Nathan Dekker and fiancé Jenna Welsh of Wauwatosa, WI; Danielle Dekker Shircel, husband Curt Shircel and great-grands Oliver and Dallon of Racine, WI; grandson Tyler Anstett (Terry’s son) and wife Alicia Gofreddi and great grands Turner and Elena of Denver, CO; daughter-in-law Carole Wilds of Leonardville, KS; granddaughter Alyssandra, husband Travis Gilbert and great grands Flynn and Ryker of Manhattan, KS. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jerry was born in Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan, Canada, coming to the United States with his family at the age of three. He graduated from Moorhead Minnesota High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944-46. In 1949, he received his Bachelor’s degree and in 1951 his Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota. He was married to Irene and their son Terry was born while Jerry attended college at UND. Jerry lettered in track and field and basketball while at UND.
After graduation, he joined the high school staff at Mahnomen, Minnesota, where he taught and coached for 5 years. In 1956, he joined the teaching and coaching staff at Oak Creek, Wisconsin where he was also named as the school’s first Athletic Director. He retired from Oak Creek after 35 years in the teaching profession. During his career, he coached football, basketball and track. In 1985, he received an award for his contributions to the sport of track from the Wisconsin State High School Track Coaches Association. In 1986, he was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Athletic Directors. Anstett was co-founder of the Oak Creek Recreation Department, where many young people first participated in activities preparing them for later experiences in sports at the high school and college level. In 1985, he was selected as Oak Creek’s Citizen of the Year for his work with the Recreation Department, the school district and with the Police and Fire Departments where he administered physical and endurance tests to the officers.
In 2015, Oak Creek named the high school track after Jerry, honoring him as the founder of the sport of Track and Field for the Oak Creek Franklin School District. He was the first track coach in the district and coached the sport for 15 seasons. During that time, his teams won the outdoor conference track and field title for many years including six consecutive years from 1966 through 1971.
Jerry enjoyed music and was active with his church choir for many years. He also supported musical events at the schools and with his family. He played the violin, as did his daughter and grand daughter Katie. He was a supporter of the Milwaukee and Phoenix symphonies and the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra in Stevens Point, WI.
After Jerry’s retirement, he and Irene traveled extensively in Europe, the Soviet Union and Africa. In 1991 they purchased a home in Sun Lakes, Arizona where they wintered each year.
Jerry was pre-deceased by his eight siblings and his son Terry. Terry had also attended the University of North Dakota on a track and field scholarship. Memorial contributions may be made to Terrance F Anstett Memorial Scholarship Endowment at the University of North Dakota Foundation, 3501 University Avenue Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-8157.
Jerry will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held this summer in Baraboo, WI.