Jerome “Jerry” Francis Wallander, 86, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, after a long illness. Born August 29, 1939, in Manitowoc County, Jerry was the 5th of 13 children born to Alvin and Margaret Wallander. He grew up managing the family dairy farm while attending Valders High School where he was a proud member of the 1957 State Champion Wrestling team.

Jerry earned his BS and PhD degrees in Dairy and Food Science and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While at the UW, he served as the chapter president for his fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. There, he met classmate and lifelong partner, Karen Vanderheiden, at a beer supper. They married on June 5, 1965 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madison. Together, according to the kids, they had three of the best children in the world: Gregg, Lynne, and Lesley. Jerry and Karen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2025 with their entire family present.

Upon completing his PhD studies, Jerry and his family moved to Evansville, Indiana, and he began a 32-year career with Mead Johnson Nutrition, a division of Bristol Myers-Squibb at the time. He worked with and later directed a dedicated Food Product Development team responsible for several successful products for infant and adult nutrition, such as Enfamil and Boost, which are still on the market today. He was a champion for his team’s achievements and professional growth. Jerry’s colleagues always enjoyed his work ethic and inclusive spirit; in turn, he enjoyed sharing his sense of humor, including annual gifts from the “Palm Rabbit” during the Easter season.

Jerry was a humble man of faith and quiet, tireless service. In Evansville, he devoted his time to St. Benedict Parish and the North Civitan Club, always seeking ways to serve his community. He was a dedicated coach for his children’s sports teams, including wrestling and soccer—even mastering soccer strategy from scratch to learn the game. Jerry was a "recipe-free" gourmet cook, much to the frustration of friends seeking his cabbage and dumpling secrets. He also enjoyed bridge, golf, and tennis.

His greatest joy was his family. Whether enduring a nine-hour drive with an aching collarbone; broken during a Wallander reunion sack race, or dancing a polka at a family wedding, he enjoyed any event that brought his family together. In 2004, Jerry and Karen returned to Madison, which allowed him to reconnect with more family and resume cheering in person for the Badgers and Packers. He was able to attend two Rose Bowls to watch the Badgers play, and a Packers playoff game in 2011 when they went on to win the Super Bowl. As a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, he was also elated to celebrate their World Series win in 2016 by wearing his jersey, signed by Cubs legend Ernie Banks, for his church directory photo. And of course, every grandkid visit involved a trip to Babcock Hall at UW for a scoop of the finest ice cream in Wisconsin.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife, Karen Wallander; his children and their spouses, Gregg and Cindy Wallander of Indianapolis, Lynne and Ian Radomski of Chicago, and Lesley and Thomas Burkard of Hartland, Wisconsin. He is further survived by 10 grandchildren: Jena (Ben) Gemkow, Mary (Lucas) Schaller, Erin (Daniel) Ureel, and Sara Wallander; Evan, Lauren, and Hayden Radomski; and Nolan, Emma, and Ethan Burkard; and great-grandson, Jack Jerome Schaller. Jerry is survived by sisters: Sister Margaret Ann Wallander, OSF; Dorothy (Wayne) Dirkman; Eve (Dick) Engelbrecht; and Donna (Rich) Quinn. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Jane Wallander and Lou Wallander, brother-in-law, John Jacobs, and sister and brother-in-law RaeAnn and John Duff. Many, many nieces and nephews also survive. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents as well as siblings Mary Joan (Al) Haefke, Bill Wallander, Jim Wallander, Jeanne (Hank) Shimek, Jack Wallander, Judy Jacobs, Charles Wallander, and Rick Wallander. Brother-in-law, Mark Vanderheiden, also preceded him in death.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the Homeworks Caregiving team, who were invaluable to his quality of life, and to the medical staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, including the unparalleled care and dignity Jerry received from the Emergency, Med/Surgery, and Palliative Care/Oncology Departments.

Services: Friday, March 20th, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Madison. Visitation at 9:30 AM; Mass at 11:00 AM, with a luncheon to follow.

Memorials: Should you wish to honor Jerry’s memory, contributions may be made to the University of Wisconsin Foundation in support of causes that were especially meaningful to him:

 ● Excellence in Palliative Care Fund - 112580122

 ● Department of Food Science Fund - 132399840

Contributions may also be made by mail; information found at: UW Foundation website

Please share your memories of Jerry by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434