Born on March 20, 1946 to parents Ruth and Ernest, Jerold William Breitenbach grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He attended St. Monica School and Marquette University High School before continuing on to Marquette University where he majored in psychology and minored in chemistry. While in college, Jerry met his wife of 56 years, Janet O’Donnell.
He was drafted to the Army during the Vietnam War and served as a medic in Finthen, Germany. After his service, he completed his law degree at Marquette University and began practicing law in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During his career, he worked as Assistant City Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, served one term as a Circuit Court Judge, and built his own private practice.
Jerry’s greatest joy was his family. He deeply loved his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Sunday dinners were a cherished family tradition he established and typically entailed a gourmet spread he would toil over all day. Some of his specialties included beef stroganoff, turkey with pear gravy, and German staples like schnitzel and spaetzle.
Jerry believed in giving back to his community and served on and headed many local boards and charities during his life, including Kenosha Bar Association, Kiwanis Breakfast Club, and First United Day Care. He was a committed blood donor, taught CCD, and prepared and served meals at the Soup Kitchen program. Jerry was always just a phone call away when any of his relatives needed handiwork.
Jerry loved Wisconsin sports, especially the Brewers, and held season tickets for many years at County Stadium. He enjoyed his weekly golf league and cheering his children and grandchildren on from the sidelines at their sports. Jerry also found great joy in planning travel, especially cruises, drawing on his early experience working at his parents’ travel agency.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund in Jerry’s memory. Throughout his career, he believed strongly that everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserves compassionate and capable legal representation. Funeral services will be held privately.
