Jerold Willard Apps

DECEMBER 29, 2025

Jerold “Jerry” Willard Apps: July 25, 1934 – December 23, 2025.

Jerold W. Apps Ph.D., 91, peacefully passed away at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg after a short illness. He was still actively writing books at the time. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, brother Darrel, and parents Herman and Eleanor.

Jerry is one of the Midwest’s most revered writers. He devoted his life to the celebration and preservation of Wisconsin’s agricultural and rural heritage, it’s past, present and future.

Chapter 1: Jerry was born at home on the family farm in Wild Rose, WI – a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing. He was the oldest of three children with twin brothers Darrel and Donald.

Chapter 2: Jerry was active in 4-H and became interested in animals, nature and conservation through his projects. He contracted polio in eighth grade. Because of the physical impact of polio, he gave up sports and became a student newspaper reporter. Writing became his lifelong passion.

Jerry graduated from the Chain O’ Lake one-room schoolhouse and Wild Rose High school. He left the family farm as a first-generation college student. He received a scholarship enabling him to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also participated in the Army ROTC.

After graduating from UW–Madison, Jerry worked as a County Extension Agent for Green Lake and Brown Counties (1957-1962). Jerry also served in the Army Transportation Corps from 1956 to 1966 reaching the rank of Captain.

Chapter 3: Jerry met Ruth Olson while they were both Extension agents. They married on May 20, 1961 and were married for 63 years until the time of Ruth’s passing.

After living in Green Bay, Ruth and Jerry settled in Madison, WI where they raised three children – Susie (Paul Bodilly), Steve (Natasha Kassulke) and Jeff (Sandy Sporleder). They have seven grandchildren: Josh Horman (Krysta McLaughlin), Ben Horman (Alyssa Horman), Christian Apps (Raegan Hinrichs), Nick Apps (Sammie Bretz), Elizabeth “Libby” Apps, Shanna Bodilly (Pat Albersman), and Joel Bodilly, and three great grandsons (Ty, Grant, and Calvin).

As a parent, Jerry continued his education and earned a Ph.D. in Education and Sociology from UW–Madison. Ruth and Jerry also joined Midvale Lutheran Church, where they found many dear friends and were active members in adult learning programs and social events

Chapter 4: In 1966, Ruth and Jerry, purchased a farm, Roshara, in the Town of Rose in Waushara County near Jerry’s family homestead. There, they introduced their family to the whispers, shadows and wildlife of the country. They enjoyed hiking and storytelling, chopping wood for the fire in the kitchen woodstove, reading, restoring the prairie and woodlots, along with tending to – and eating and preserving fresh produce from a large garden. The farm became a muse for Jerry and his writing. He researched and wrote about the history of this land in his books.

An annual highlight for the family was spending one week every summer with the family at a Wisconsin lake.

Chapter 5: Jerry’s academic career included Publications Editor for the State 4-H Office, 1962-1964; Assistant, Associate and tenured Professor in the UW–Madison Agriculture and Extension Education Department, 1964-1974; Professor of Continuing and Vocational Education, 1974-1994; Staff Development, University of Wisconsin Extension. 1964-1974, 1982-1985; Chancellor’s Office, University of Wisconsin Extension, 1989-1993; Chair, Department of Continuing and Vocational Education, 1977-1979, 1982-1987; and Director of Kellogg funded National Leadership Development Program, 1989-1993.

A pivotal moment toward advocacy for environmental causes was April 1970. He attended a rally at the UW–Madison Stock Pavilion held by Senator Gaylord Nelson, the father of Earth Day. That same year, Jerry published his first book “to encourage an understanding and appreciation of nature in all its dimensions”. The book, The Land Still Lives, was republished for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2019).

Chapter 6: Upon retirement, he became Professor Emeritus and started a career as a full-time historian, researcher, storyteller, and writer. Jerry wrote more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books including children's books on topics such as barns, mills, cheese, breweries, the circus, one-room schools, along with rural history, country life, and the environment. His co-authors, editors, and photographers included his wife and other family members.

Jerry inspired countless individuals through his workshops, radio programs, and public appearances, fostering a deep appreciation for the culture of Wisconsin and especially rural communities.

“Throughout my life, I have learned the power of a story. I learned that putting a little heart into a story will take it from ordinary to something meaningful. A little humor helps too. I write with the hope my words will get people thinking and perhaps remembering. Memories are powerful tools to make a life more interesting,” Jerry said.

Chapter 7: Jerry taught creative writing courses at the Rhinelander School of the Arts and The Clearing in Door County. He helped create seven documentaries with PBS Wisconsin and contributed to winning a regional Emmy Award for the TV documentary A Farm Winter.

His column “Outdoor Notebook” was featured in several Central Wisconsin newspapers. He also wrote columns for Agriview, Country Today and Wisconsin State Farmer.

Jerry coined the THE OLD TIMER SAYS tagline in his newspaper writing, including, the saying: “Without readers, where would writers be?”

He contributed two monographs in the Oxford Companion to United States History, -- “Giving Old Barns New Life: Ethnic History and Beauty of Old Barns” and “Giving Old Barns New Life: Wisconsin’s Changing Farmsteads” (both University of Wisconsin-Extension).

He proudly presented at more than 135 libraries and local historical societies. Patterson Memorial Library, in Wild Rose, WI named a “Jerry Apps Reading Room” in his honor.

Chapter 8: Jerry won awards for his writing from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Library Association (the 2007 Notable Authors Award), American Library Association, Foreword Magazine, Midwest Independent Publishers Association, Robert E. Gard Foundation, The Wisconsin Council for Writers (the 2007 Major Achievement Award), Upper Midwest Booksellers, and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, among others.

In 2010, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the UW–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Science, was named a Fellow by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters in 2012, and was named to the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2016, Jerry won the White Cedar Outstanding Teaching Award from The Clearing.

More recently, Jerry was honored with Jerry Apps Day from the City of Madison and a certificate from the State of Wisconsin on his 90th birthday, a Joint Resolution from the Wisconsin Legislature, a Secretary Commendation from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, and the 2025 National Distinguished Service Ruby Award for an Extension Professional.

Jerry was a member of the Authors Guild, Council for Wisconsin Writers, Wisconsin Writers Association, Wisconsin Academy for Sciences Arts and Letters, Friends of Wisconsin Public Television, and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

Chapter 9: Late in life, Jerry and Ruth moved to their new home at Renaissance Senior Living. They started a book club and made many friends there. They enjoyed Culver’s treats and while Ruth liked a vanilla shake from Culver’s, Jerry preferred strawberry.

Chapter 10: Jerry is survived by his brother, Donald, and a large extended family. Jerry had many colleagues, friends and former students who stayed in touch. He was a mentor and coach for many writers as they built their own careers

While many books conclude with “The End,” for Jerry’s story there is no “The End”.

Jerry’s legacy is that of storytelling; always encouraging others to tell their story.

As THE OLD TIMER, once said, “It doesn’t matter how much you write or what you write, only that you write.”

Chapter 11: A celebration of life will be held in the spring 2026. The family thanks Agrace Hospice and the Renaissance Senior Living staff for their kindness and care, especially Jamison and Pastor Jim. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to Wisconsin Public Media, The Wisconsin Historical Society, Midvale Community Lutheran Church or your local library. To learn more about Jerry’s legacy in storytelling and his commitment to his community and environmental stewardship, visit https://jerryapps.com/.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd    Madison

608-238-3434