Washington County, WI – Jerome Leo Priesgen, 61, of Allenton, WI passed away unexpectedly in an automobile accident on Monday, March 27, 2023. Heaven gained another angel for the heavenly racetrack.
Jerry “Sonny” was born on April 23, 1961, in Hustisford, WI to Jerome and Mary Ann (nee Stommel) Priesgen. Jerry had a passion for racing as a driver, car builder, and steward of the sport.
Jerry devoted his life to helping those within the Wisconsin racing community. Working in motorsports at Slinger Speedway, Beaver Dam Raceway, as well as other motorsports-related venues was his calling for most of his life.
Jerry loved his life partner Carolyn; they could be seen together at almost every race event or banquet. Together Jerry and Carolyn would help each other through life one race at a time for 38 years.
Jerry loved the social interactions of co-hosting a local racing radio show highlighting local and regional racing racers, fans, and special events. He loved his slot car racing friends, building projects in his shop, and restoring his old race car. Jerry also worked at Zuern Building Products in Allenton where he was an inside salesman for 36 years. He loved his work family in Allenton and the customers he interacted with.
Jerry also served his community as a civil servant for many years as a past Town of Addison supervisor and presently as the Town of Addison zoning chairperson.
Jerry will be forever remembered for his endless kindness, goodwill, positive attitude, selfless humility, incredible intelligence, witty humor, hard work ethic, honesty, and his “help you in any way possible, make it a great day” spirit.
Jerry was one of a kind.
Jerry’s contributions to Wisconsin motorsports have touched and changed the lives of so many people in a positive way. He will forever be remembered as “Pink Hat”. The pink hat he wore at all of the racing events he worked at was unmistakenly Jerry.
Jerry is survived by his lifelong companion of 38 years, Carolyn Scharrer; his father Jerome Priesgen, brothers, Tony and sister-in-law Rochelle Priesgen, Carl Priesgen and partner Donna, brother Ken Priesgen and partner Sarah; niece and nephew, Carrie and Kody Priesgen; great-niece Madison and great-nephew Ryker. Jerome is further survived by other relatives and many friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann E. Priesgen (nee Stommel).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 215 Main Street, Allenton, WI, with Rev. Richard Stoffel presiding. Visitation will be at the church prior to the Mass on Monday, April 3 from 1 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. Interment will be Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Allenton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Jerome’s family as they will be setting up a scholarship in his name for a future racer.
