April 7, 1931 — Feb. 18, 2016

Jerome Patrick Mitten, Sr., 84, passed peacefully into the loving hands of the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. He was born April 7, 1931 to Margaret and Charles Mitten in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Margaret Mary (nee Nilles) known as Peggy, his brother, James Mitten (Betty) of Arroyo Grande, California, brother-in-law Msgr. Allan Nilles of West Fargo, North Dakota, and five children, M. Susan Mitten (Tom Hester) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mickey Wepfer (Bob) of Delafield, Wisconsin, J. Patrick Mitten, Jr. (Kate) of Barrington, Illinois, Daniel Mitten (Laurie Jolley) of Valparaiso, IN, and Chuck Mitten (Karrie) of Escalon, California. He is further survived by ten grandchildren: Evan (Rachael) and Justine Decker, Ben and Charlie Wepfer, Barbara Mitten and Maggie Mitten Schapman (Tanner), Erin and Liz Mitten, Ian and Shannon Mitten, and a great granddaughter, Eliana Decker.Jerry graduated from Marquette High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He played football at Marquette University, where he fell head over heels for the love of his life, Peggy, who at the time was a student at Mount Mary College. They married Jan. 8, 1955. Jerry and Peggy settled in Edina, Minnesota and in 1973 moved their family to Naperville, Illinois where they remained until his retirement in 1995.

Jerry was an active parent who supported all of his children’s endeavors, and took great pride in them. Jerry served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked as a marketing manager for Armour Pharmaceutical, DuPont and Zaclon before retiring and splitting his time between his home on Indian Lake (Dowagiac) and Homosassa, Florida. He will be remembered as a family man, a gentleman and gregarious friend to many. A funeral mass celebrating his life was held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Memorial contributions may be made to Angels Grace Hospice, Oconomowoc.