Obituary: Gerald L. 'Jerry' Crouse Sr.

Gerald L. “Jerry” Crouse Sr., of Waukesha, died on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Waukesha on Oct. 22, 1938, the son of George L. and Nelda (nee Rupprecht) Crouse. He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1956. On Nov. 7, 1959, Jerry married his beloved wife, Marlene Spelich.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Marlene, of Waukesha and their sons: Gerald “Jay” (Renee) Crouse, Jr., of the town of Delafield and James “Jim” (Jori) Crouse, of Milwaukee, seven grandchildren: Tiffany, Ryan, Courtney, Adam, Taylor, Austin and Jared.  He is further survived by his siblings: Barry (Ardyce) Crouse of Sullivan, Bonnie (Gordon) Giese of Waukesha and Darwin (the late Faye) Crouse of Hartford, sister-in-law Joan (the late Thomas) Spelich, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Earl (Bernita), Elmer, Glenn (Gwendolyn), and Donald (Adeline) Crouse.

Jerry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant (E-5) with the 32nd Infantry Division Signal Battalion. Jerry joined the Elm Grove Police Department in 1965 and received his Associates Degree in Police Science from Waukesha County Technical College in 1974.  After 26½ years of dedicated service, he retired from the police department as a corporal. In addition to his work at the Elm Grove Police Department, Jerry worked part-time in the loss prevention department for UPS from 1967 until 2001 and also worked part-time at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home since 1965.

Jerry was a member of First United Methodist Church in Waukesha and American Legion DJ Martin Post #8. He was also a member and past President of the Elm Grove Professional Policeman’s Association, past board member of the Elm Grove Emergency Medical Service, past chief advisor of the Elm Grove Explorer Post and past member of the Elmbrook Vandalism Committee. Jerry was also a member, and past President of the Waukesha County Juvenile Officers Association, member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, and life member, past President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Wisconsin Juvenile Officers Association. He received an Outstanding Arrest Citation and two Citations for Bravery from the National Police Officers Association of America and was a member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the International Juvenile Officers Association.

Jerry was a Life Member of Waukesha Elks Lodge #400, where he was Elk of the Year in 1982-1983, Officer of the Year in 1997-1998 and was installed as Exalted Ruler in 1986-1987 and 2005-2006.  He also served as Trustee, Chairman, Treasurer, and was past President of the Past Exalted Ruler’s Association.  On a state level, Jerry received the Wisconsin Elks Major Project Award for outstanding contributions to Elkdom from 1991-1994.  He also received the State President’s Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and Wisconsin Elks Association Elk of the Year Award in 1997. In addition to many other Elks’ committees, he served as Wisconsin State President in 2000-2001, State Inner Guard from 1989 to 1995 and was District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1997-1998. 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Federico Sanchez, his staff and the staff of the Oncology Department at Waukesha Memorial Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion.

Jerry was a man of faith, courage, commitment, honor and integrity.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 14 from 4 p.m. until the 7:30 p.m. Elks Lodge of Sorrow service, followed by a final salute by the Honor Guards of the Elm Grove and Milwaukee Police Departments, at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI.  Visitation continues at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI  53186 on Thursday, March 15 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service.  Graveside services, with full military honors, will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.  If desired, memorials are appreciated to the church (address above) or the charity of donor’s choice.

For further information, please call at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.