Jerome "Jerry" Sullivan

After a long and fulfilling life, Jerome "Jerry" Sullivan passed away on August 21, 2024 at age 88, with family by his side. Jerry was born on August 15, 1936 in Madison Lake, Minnesota and grew up in St. Peter, Minnesota. He was the youngest of four children born to James and Alvina Sullivan. Following a stint in the United States Army, he enrolled at Mankato State University. In 1959, he married Dixie Deviney after meeting her in social dance class at college. Jerry and Dixie would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September. After finishing his degree at Mankato State, Jerry and Dixie moved to Racine, Wisconsin where he began his career as an educator, first teaching in elementary schools and later becoming a principal. They moved to Fond du Lac in 1970 and Jerry was an elementary principal at Waters, Roberts, and Pier Schools in the Fond du Lac School District for 25 years before he retired. After retirement, he served as a substitute principal in the Fond du Lac School District and instructor at Marian College. He was active in the community throughout his life – a member of the morning Kiwanis, the Elks, and the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference. Jerry was also involved with the YMCA, Loaves & Fishes, United Way, Thelma Center for the Arts, Fond du Lac Concert Series, Fond du Lac Children’s Choral, and National Association of Elementary School Principals. He was a founder of the original Warming Shelter at the Episcopal Church Annex and started the Buttermilk Creek Park men’s evening tennis league in the 1980s. Jerry and a group of tennis league regulars volunteered their time to teach tennis to in an afterschool program for junior high school students. In addition to playing tennis for most of his adult life, Jerry was an avid biker – completing a couple of century rides, card player – part of a regular bridge group for more than four decades, and Badgers fan – getting to Madison for a football game most seasons. Jerry loved and was loved by his family. He is survived by his wife, Dixie, and four children: Mary Sullivan (Greg Steiner, sons Alex and Vince Steiner (Jaclyn Freeberg)), Susan Sullivan (daughters Ellie Henningsgaard (Andy Galbraith) and Lucy Henningsgaard), Joe Sullivan (Sue Sullivan, sons Owen, Dermot, and Ryan Sullivan), and Katy Sullivan (Tim O’Callaghan). He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diana and Denny Krieger, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses, his son Timothy, his son-in-law Bill Henningsgaard, and grandson Max Henningsgaard. The Celebration of Life for Jerry Sullivan will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ located at 535 Stow St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm and will last until the service begins at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the SSM Adult Day program via the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation or the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference – Fond du Lac.

Jerome "Jerry" Sullivan

August 15, 1936 - August 21, 2024