Jerry E. Tapani

Jerry E. Tapani, 67, longtime Oulu resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 14, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 22, 1947 to Emil and Ailie (Aho) Tapani in Superior, WI.

On October 14, 1967, Jerry married his best friend, Barbara Jean Heikkila. They celebrated 47 years of marriage.

Jerry graduated from South Shore High School in 1965. He attended WITC in Superior studying in the machine tool program and later moved to St. Paul, MN and worked as a machinist. He moved back to Oulu and worked for Cloverland Transfer driving milk truck for many years. In 1980, Jerry and his friend, Ron “Cook” Johnson owned and operated T&J Trucking for 8 years. After that, Jerry worked for South Shore Sand and Gravel for 21 years, retiring in 2009.

Jerry was one of the founders of the Waino Riders Snowmobile Club. He served as president for many years. He also served on the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance. During his retirement he operated the snowmobile groomer for many years. He and his wife Barbara also had a family business, Lake Superior Evergreens.

Jerry was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, gardening, sauna and taking care of his home and family. He was an avid Badgers, Packers and Brewers fan. Jerry took pride in his Finnish “SISU”.

In addition to his wife Barbara, Jerry is survived by one daughter, Christina (Rudy) Rantala, Oulu; two sons, Brian (Jessica) Tapani, Maple, Bob (Bev) Tapani, Oulu; one brother, Tom (Betty) Tapani, Chisago City, MN; one sister, Shirley Johnson, Iron River; one brother-in-law, Albert “Sonny” (Mary) Heikkila, Superior; 13 grandchildren Justin (Haeli), Jordon, Tate, Lilly, Leevi, Jadon, Breanne, Trevor, Olivia, Michael, Steven, Ryan and Brian; two great-granddaughters, Emalia and Kirsi and many special nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother and father-in-law, Arne and Eleanor Heikkila.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and will continue until the 12 Noon Memorial Service on Friday, May 22, 2015 at Hope Lutheran Church in Oulu, with Pastor Scott Stai, officiating.

Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers for the service will be two of his grandsons, Justin and Jordon Rantala; his son-in-law, Rudy Rantala; his brother-in-law, Sonny Heikkila and his friends, Dave Kovacic, Gary Aho, Jeff Maki and Larry Peabody.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

A special thank you to his loving family member, Annie Trautt, for her devotion. The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic and St. Luke’s Hospice for the excellent care Jerry received.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.