GERALD “JERRY” ARCHIE CARDO

Gerald “Jerry” Archie Cardo, 81, of Coloma, Wisconsin, passed away due to complications from COVID-19 on December 11, 2020 at the Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, with his caring companion, Cindy Giese, by his side.

Jerry was born to Allen and Gladys (Smith) Cardo on September 21, 1939 in rural Coloma. He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1957 and was a proud graduate of the UW-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course in 1959.

  Jerry purchased the family farm in the Town of Richfield in 1970. He became the third generation of his family to steward this land, following in the footsteps of his father, Allen and his grandfather, John Cardo. He continued living there, in retirement, with Cindy, until the time of his death. The two of them routinely spent winters in Arizona

Jerry married Judith Flott in 1960, and they were blessed with three daughters. In 1984 he married the love of his life, Patricia Murphy Hoekstra, and made her five children his own. The couple remained together until Pat’s death in 2004.

Jerry was active in the community throughout his life. He served on the town board, the Adams County Zoning Commission, the ASCS committee, and the Co-Op Board, among others. He was also a member of the South Burr Oak United Methodist Church.

Jerry will be remembered for his kindness, strength, honesty, work ethic, and more than anything, his love of family.

  He is survived by his caring companion, Cindy Giese, brother Richard (Arlene) Cardo of Friendship, sisters, Lila Thorson of Hancock and Karen Moen of Wisconsin Rapids, children Lori Kendl of Coloma, Sandra (Andrew) Cardo Gorsuch of Reedsburg, Gail Cardo of Appleton, Carmen (David) Carpenter of Adams, Lee Ann Hoekstra of Smyrna, GA, Kelly (Ray) Orman of Shelburn, IN, Kenn (Heidi) Hoekstra of Prairie du Sac, and Patrick “P.J.” (Kim) Hoekstra of Reedsburg. He is further survived by twenty cherished grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Allen and Gladys, infant brother, John, sister, Donna Foster, wife, Pat, ex-wife, Judy Flott, and infant granddaughter, Amelia Gorsuch.

  A memorial service will be held at a later date, when it is safer for family and friends to gather.