He was born on Feb. 14, 1941 in West Bend to the late George and Josephine (Altschaefl) Wardius.

After graduating from West Bend High School in 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for eight years.

Jerry worked at the Norman Severe Storm Laboratory in Norman, Okla. for 22 years, retiring in 1994.

He had been a government employee for a total of 30 years.

He married Helen Kaserman in 1962, and was blessed with two children. The couple later divorced.

He married Peggy Berry on Feb. 21, 1987 in Norman, and she survives.

Jerry enjoyed his retirement going antiquing, working in his yard, cooking, traveling, caring for his family and feeding the wildlife.

Teddy, his dog, had been a devoted companion for 13 years.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy; a son, George Wardius and his wife, Lisa, of Norman; daughters, Laura Blazek and her husband, Eric, of Norman, Melissa Gillett and her husband, Tim, of Tolna, N.D., Krysta Hopson and her husband, Ron, of Norman, and Becca Berry and her husband, Dale, of Eugene, Ore; a brother, Ronald Wardius of Milwaukee; sisters, Phyllis Hill and her husband, Ron, of Fredricksburg, Va., and Linda Schmidt and her husband, Erv, of Hubertus.

Nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceding him in death was a sister, Lucille Kalaher.

Cremation is planned, and memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Johnson Kunkel Mortuary in Humboldt, with Rev. David Meier officiating.