June 10, 2021 at 2:47 p.m.
Dr. Gerald (Jerry) George Kort
Dr. Gerald (Jerry) George Kort
He was born on December 25, 1935 in Antigo to Kathryn (Zehren) and Anthony Kort. He spent much of his childhood in Shawano. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School where he met the love of his life in 4th grade, giving Mary Helen Grover her first Valentine card. Jerry graduated from Shawano High School in 1953 and attended the University of St. Thomas for two years, then transferred to University of Wisconsin-Madison to fulfill some requirements prior to his entrance into Dental School at Marquette University. After graduation in May, 1960 he joined the Navy as a Lieutenant in the Dental Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Completing his two years of service, Jerry moved to Stevens Point to begin private practice.
Jerry’s first office was located on the Mitchell Public Square above Brill’s Gift Shop. He joined Dr. Arthur Cook in Dr. Cook’s dental practice for a period of time and then opened his own dental practice on Division Street. Jerry moved his practice to the Church Street location in 1977 where he practiced until his retirement in 1990. After retirement, Jerry & Mary became Florida residents and added a northern Wisconsin summer home. Their homes, in Wisconsin and Florida, remained the center of their family life.
Jerry and Mary married on December 28, 1957 in Shawano after dating for eight years. For 76 years (counting from the first Valentine), they remained each other’s best friend and confidante, sharing a deep love of family, the Northwoods and travel. Over the many years of retirement, they traveled the world, exploring its many wonders and cultures and shared their love of travel with their family. Jerry mastered the art of bird (and animal) carving, creating masterpieces from tiny wrens to giant giraffes. All of his children and grandchildren have treasured carvings from Grandpa.
Jerry enjoyed deer hunting with his sons at his property in New Hope, fishing, golfing and gardening especially geraniums. He was a master storyteller and loved a good joke or card game with his grandchildren. He made lifelong friends wherever he went. Jerry was well known for making a 10 minute trip to the store that turned into a two hour chat with a friend in the parking lot.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Helen (Grover) Kort, his children Tom (Marilee), Bolingbrook, Ill.; Sue (Paul) Koehl, Custer; the late Tim (Therese), Sun Prairie; Kay Kort, Weston; Dan (Jill), Homer Alaska; and Jerry Jr. (Michelle), Stevens Point.
Jerry and Mary are blessed with thirteen grandchildren: Kimberly Kort, Barbara (Ron) Rod, Libby (James) Wilson, John Koehl, Anna Koehl, Ben Kort, Tony (Anne) Kort, Ian Kort, Laura Thiele, Emily Thiele, Jared Kort, Kaitlyn Kort and Lydia Kort, and two great grandchildren, Leo and Charlie Rod.
Funeral arrangement …
In lieu of flowers, a memorial in his name will established at a later date.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou
You always made us feel special and important. We love you.
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