Gerald E. ‘Papa’ Krieg

Jerry was born in Marquette on October 10, 1933, the first son of Earl and Geraldine (LaBonte) Krieg. Jerry grew up in Marquette.

Jerry was in the Sea Scouts, worked on the railroad, worked at fire towers with his Dad, and worked at the family business; Krieg News. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy. He served as an electronics technician on destroyers (DD-631 & DD-718) during the Korean War, eventually rising to the rank of Chief. Jerry was deeply proud of his naval service for his entire life.

After his service, he studied electrical engineering while at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee. He married the former Jeannette (Jenny) Marie Damerow in 1958, and they began their family in 1959. They had four children; Jeff, Deanna, Sue, and Eric. Jerry began working at the environmental test laboratory at AC electronics, and worked on guidance systems for all of the early US missiles. He helped test the systems for all of the early space systems, including the Apollo missions to the moon.

In 1967, he and Jenny started Krieg’s Electronics in Brookfield, WI, a business that they operated for 20 years. They moved up to the U.P. In 1990, and built the Pinewood Lodge; a bed & breakfast in Au Train. They ran the business until 2012 when Jenny passed away. Jerry also had many hobbies, flying his plane, boating, and amateur radio; where he was known by the call sign K9MZJ.

Jerry is survived by his children, Jeffrey G. (Ann) Krieg of Ellicott City, MD and their children, Margaret and Amelia, Deanna M. Krieg of Wilson, MI, Susan K. (Doug Ellis) Krieg of Marquette and her children, Emily, Nicholas and Meghan, and Eric S. (Karen) Krieg of Port Washington, WI, and their children, Jacob, Alyssa, Samuel, William and Nicholas; six great grandchildren; his siblings, Carole J. Krieg Short, Dean G. (Mary Lou) Krieg and Tom (Carolyn “Angel”) Krieg; also numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette, and his sister, Peggy Anne Krieg.

Jerry always believed that life was meant to be lived fully and he lived his life that way. He managed in his last couple of years to sail his boat across Lake Superior, to drive across the country several times to visit family, to climb Diamond Head in Hawaii, to fly a plane one more time, and to ride a zip line with his grandchildren. He was devoted to his family, and was a friend to everyone who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 6th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home. A celebration of Jerry’s life will take place at 3 p.m. in the funeral home with CLP Darryl Small officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent in Jerry’s memory to the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight, 7508 J Road, Gladstone, MI 49837.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Krieg family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com