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Obituary for Jack O. Giller
Jack Orlando Giller was born December 4, 1948 to Donald and Anna (Crescenzi) Giller. He graduated from Luck High School in 1967, and after a tour of duty with the United States Army, attended WITC in Eau Claire for two years. He spent the majority of his working life doing what he loved, logging. A devastating fall from his log truck resulted in multiple injuries from which he never quite recovered and that ultimately lead to his death on September 10, 2016.
On August 7, 1971 he married Judy Sederlund. Together Jack and Judy raised three children: Gary, Tracy and Hans.
The role of grandfather was one that Jack eagerly anticipated to the point of reminding his children that marriage wasn't even quite necessary, as long as he got a baby or two to hold. His dream came true on June 24, 1997 with the birth of Reilly, followed in steady succession by the arrivals of Ariana, Elijah, Benjamin, William, and Zacariah. As "Pops", he found his calling. He built bonfires, filled his trailer with kids and drove around "Giller Acres" on his tractor, told entirely fabricated "true" stories, took them fishing, argued politics, took them hunting, made them laugh, and filled them with the kind of love only a Grandpa can. Even though he had to leave them much too soon, they will never forget how much he loved them. His giant presence in their childhoods will shape their character into adulthood.
Jack is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judy; his sons, Gary (Jen) and Hans (Rachel); daughter, Tracy (Brian Schurman); his grandchildren, Dustin (Vanessa) Luke, Reilly Giller and Ariana, Elijah, Benjamin, William and Zacariah Jack Schurman; and great-grandchildren, Carter, Bennett, Dossen and Maleeha. He is also survived by his mother, Anna and his siblings, Jim (Carol) Giller, Mike (Jean) Giller, Debra (Donnie) Cardenas, and Cindy (Paul) Swanson. He leaves behind nieces and nephews with wonderful "Uncle Jack" stories, including Anna Fagen, Britta Giller, Hillary Giller, Adam Giller, Hailey Freedlund, Mike Cardenas (who gave Jack many hours of companionship and care, and who Jack loved like a son), Hannah Cardenas, Jeri and Brian Ahrens (who flew in from Idaho to spend a week with Jack at the Minneapolis VA, a gesture that touched us all deeply), Jon Sederlund, Mari Sederlund Riese, and Rhande Sederlund. Also surviving Jack are his aunts, Velma Gualco and Christina Crescenzi of Genoa, Italy; his sister-in-law, Joan Sederlund; many cousins and as many friends as there are rings in a California redwood. Last, but not least, he leaves behind a very sad little pug, Mary Kaye.
He was preceded in death by his father and best friend, Donald Giller and by his daughter-in-law, Terrie Giller.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Bone Lake Lutheran Church, 1101 255th Avenue, Luck, WI on Saturday, September 17, 2016 – visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. with Lay Pastor Karoline White officiating. Full Military Honors will be presented following the service.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook to leave memories and photos. Arrangements are entrusted to the Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, www.rowefh.com , 715-472-2444 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, www.wicremationcenter.com , 715-825-5550.
