Jerome J. Alft

Jerome Junior Alft, age 92 of the Township of Fairbanks, Shawano County, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 14, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

Jerome was born in Clintonville to the late Lester and Ida (Kersten) Alft on May 4, 1932. He attended grade school at Blue Ribbon School and St. John's Lutheran School in Tigerton; later graduating from Tigerton High School in 1950. Growing up, Jerome helped his parents on their dairy farm in Tigerton. As a child he loved riding his horse Silver, and would take family and friends on sled rides with his horse in the winter. Jerome played basketball in highschool, even making it to the State tournament. He was a founding member and treasurer of the
Tigerton FFA and was recently honored at the Tigerton FFA’s 75th anniversary.

Jerome married Lillian (Shest) on July 25, 1953 and raised 5 daughters in their Town of Fairbanks home until Lillian's passing on July 2, 2010. He was later married to Marjorie (Kauffman) Henn on August 4, 2016 until her passing on April 21, 2023. Jerome and Lillian farmed in the Town of Fairbanks, where per his instructions, his daughters lovingly picked tons of rocks in the fields, pulled multiple mustard plants, and tied off thousands of hay bales. Jerome also owned and operated Alft Sales & Service, and was self employed as a milk hauler until his retirement. Jerome loved being outdoors; whether it was deer hunting or just watching the wildlife in his backyard. He traveled to Colorado yearly in the fall for elk hunting, with his last successful elk hunt at age 80 on horseback in Idaho, and still proudly displays a shoulder mount of his prized 6 x 7 bull elk. Jerome also loved playing slot machines at various casinos. After retiring from his milk route, Jerome spent countless hours alongside his wife Lillian collecting antiques and restoring the Blue Ribbon Schoolhouse into the school they both remembered attending as children.

Survivors include: 5 daughters: CAPT Barbara (Ron) Roberts Ret-USN, Jane Pringnitz,  Karen Porter, Lisa (Mark) Ebert, and Christine (Jim) Otto.
Grandchildren: Larry Pringnitz, Jr., Lynsay (Doug) Mauritz, Jared (Nikki) Porter, Tyler (Emily) Ebert, Logan (Kayla) Ebert, Alexis (Alex) Otto, and Sydney (Brynn) Otto
Brother - Keith Alft
Marge's daughter & 4 sons and their families, & many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Lillian and Marge, granddaughter Shannon Smith, great-grandson Louis Porter Smith, and a son-in-law Larry Pringnitz, Sr.

A private family graveside service will be held for Jerome at Union Cemetery in Tigerton with Rev. Clifford Kessen officiating. His family would like to give a special thank you to all the family and friends for their love and support throughout Jerome's lifetime. Great appreciation and thanks to the wonderful caring staff at Interim Healthcare; (Nancy, Shannon, Barb, Mike, Tim, & Jill) for their amazing compassion and care to Jerome & his family over the past 7 months. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Tigerton is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com 

"We will never be the same as we were before this loss, but are ever so much better for having had something so great to lose."