Willie Frank Jerks

Willie was born on June 25, 1946, to Milton and Luella Jerks in Detroit, Mich. He graduated from Henry Ford High School.

Willie attended Suomi College in Hancock, and Lakeland University in Canada, where he played basketball. He later joined the US Army.

Willie married Gail Dishow in December 1969. They had four children together. Willie ran his own small lawn care business in Iron Mountain, where they lived together. He also worked at the VA Hospital.

Willie later moved to Duluth, Minn., where he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Willie leaves behind his four children and their families: Frank (Lisa) Jerks and Johnny, Sophie, Michael and Ava of Duluth; Paul (Jeanne) Jerks and Mackenzie and Malcolm of Green Bay, Wis.; Leslie (Santino) Laster, Jessie Benet, Ajani and Keane of Sheboygan, Wis.; Bethany (Patrice) Jerks and Devante and Joemar of Sheboygan.

A special service was held April 12 at Sunrise Funeral Home in Duluth.

Willie’s ashes will be buried this summer at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall in Duluth.

A special thank you goes out to Lisa Jerks and her mother for taking care of Willie whenever he needed help.

A Celebration of Willie’s life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Mayme’s Bar in Iron Mountain.