Gregory J. Jaeger, 72, of Merrill, passed away peacefully with his wife Jean Marie and daughter Miranda by his side on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at his home under the care of his family and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Greg was born on January 17, 1950, in Merrill, son of the late Alfred and Helen (Severt) Jaeger. Greg was a graduate of Merrill High School, class of 1968. He married Jean Marie Jarvensivu on May 27, 2004, in Merrill. She survives. Greg worked as a welder up until the time of his retirement from Mitchell Metal Products in 2013. At the beginning of Greg’s career, he worked for Anderson Johnson Quarry, Drott Manufacturing, Lo-Ed Corporation, and Wausau Iron Works. Greg enjoyed fishing, especially trout fishing and Canadian fishing trips, he was a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, and he really enjoyed watching Badger basketball on TV. Greg was a grill and smoker master and will always be remembered for his homemade brats and homemade sausage. Greg was a devoted husband; they celebrated their weekly wedding anniversary, making each other homemade cards and handwritten notes each Thursday since the day they were married; When he passed away Thursday morning, it was their 921st week anniversary.
Greg is survived by his wife, Jean Marie Jaeger of Merrill; daughters, Miranda (Kyle) Steliga of Prentice and Mallory Freeman of Goodyear, Arizona; his daughters from a previous marriage, Karla (Mark C.) Spoehr of Merrill, Tammy (Kevin) David of Merrill, and Sara (Jeremy) Hall of Wausau; twelve grandchildren, including: Lexi Freeman (Dylan Rohde), Byndi Castaneda, Braxtyn Castaneda, Kristina (Ryan) Lofink, Kayla Norman, and seven others; four great-grandchildren, including: Eli Lofink and three others; sisters, Pam Kufahl, Barbara (John) Pophal, Mary (David) Gryskiewicz, and Terri (Steve Sr.) Strand, all of Merrill; brothers, Alan (Karen) Jaeger, Jeff (Tracey) Jaeger, and Rodney Jaeger, all of Merrill; and mother-in-law, Carol Jarvensivu of Brantwood. Greg is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and his godchildren, David Jaeger and Dawn Young. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Helen Jaeger; his father-in-law, Jack N. Jarvensivu; grandsons, Kolton Norman and Dawson David; and nephew, John Pophal.
A memorial service for Greg will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home in Merrill, with Rev. Andy Perry officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their professional and compassionate care of Greg. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com