Jerry J. Senzig, age 78 of Shawano, “went home” on Thursday evening, October 18, 2018, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, where he had been a patient for the past month.
Jerry was born on June 29, 1940, in Landstad to the late Willard and Florence (O’Connor) Senzig. He graduated from Bonduel High School in 1958. During his junior and senior year of high school, the Milwaukee Braves invited him to County Stadium for 16 two-day workouts. The following fall he attended Oshkosh College. The Braves again invited him to their minor league spring training at Waycross, Georgia where one of his teammates was Joe Torre. Joe eventually beat Jerry out as the Eau Claire catcher. Soon after, Jerry hurt both of his legs and was released. Jerry returned home and moved to Clintonville where he worked at the FWD & Nelson Sales & Service selling cars. He also played with the A’s. In 1960, the Detroit Tigers signed him to a contract where he playing in Belmont, NC and Jamestown, NY. He then decided his legs weren’t strong enough, so he went back to Clintonville to play with the A’s.
In 1960, Jerry met his bride to be, Kathleen Peeters, whom he married on October 7, 1961. Following their marriage, Jerry went to work for Thorp Finance, then Wisconsin Finance. In 1966, he borrowed money from his father to purchase a TV and appliance business on Main Street in Shawano. From there he purchased a two story building at 214 S. Main Street and expanded the business into furniture, TV’s, and appliances. Jerry then purchased the old Super Valu Store (now known as City Hall), remodeled it, and put more furniture in it. Finally he decided to build a new store on Green Bay Street, known as Senzig’s Furniture, TV & Appliance. In 2003 Jerry sold the store to his son, Todd, and retired.
Jerry was very involved in the city of Shawano and Shawano County, serving on the Revitalization Board, Bid, and the Chamber of Commerce where he served as President, and the Shawano County Board of Supervisors for one term. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, but most of all coaching baseball. He just loved to see the boys and girls progress under his teaching. Jerry coached Little League, Babe Ruth, and Shawano Legion. He also started and managed the Shawano Lakers with the help of Edward “Shorty” Krenger, Franklin Jesse, and Milton Ludolph. For the past ten years, Jerry and Kathy lived half of the year in Arizona, but always came back to Shawano in the summer to golf, fish, and enjoy their grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 57 years, Kathy, of Shawano; his sons, Gregory and Trini Senzig and their children, Samantha (Dillon) Senzig and Johnathan (Andrea) Schneider, Todd and Wendy Senzig and their children, Maria (Adam) Senzig and Allison Senzig, and Troy Senzig and his children, Connor Senzig and Katelin (Derek) Senzig, all of Shawano;. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice (Douglas) Maltbey.
A Funeral Mass for Jerry J. Senzig will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. Fr. Tom Farrell will be the Celebrant. Entombment will be at Sacred Heart Mausoleum in Shawano. Visitation will begin on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Mickelson Funeral Service from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a Parish Wake Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the church from 10:00 until the hour of Mass. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred in Jerry’s name to the Shawano Youth Baseball League.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family thanks the staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee and the Emergency Room staff of ThedaCare – Shawano for their kindness, compassion, and care.”