Gerald W. Feathers

Gerald W. Feathers, age 83, of Ringle passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2022 at the Aspirus palliative care unit.

Gerald was born in New London, WI on December 11, 1939 to the late William and Gertrude (Glocke) Feathers. He grew up in Waupaca, WI and, as a teenager, worked with his father in his seed and potato business in Waupaca driving delivery trucks and processing potatoes.

Gerald served in the army, and later earned his Master’s degree from Stevens Point in Education. He taught science in the Wausau School District at John Muir, and then moved to Wausau West High School when it was built to teach various science courses until his retirement in 1996.

Besides teaching, Jerry had a life-long love of growing things. For about 20 years in the 1970’s and 80’s he ran Feathers and Sons Farm in the summer with his two sons growing onions, strawberries, pickles, and potatoes. But mostly potatoes. He started by leasing farmland from his father in Waupaca and later purchased 40 acres of his own in the Town of Weston to continue his passion for farming.

In the late 1980’s the decision was made to turn the potato farm into a golf course. With the purchase of a couple of chain saws, an old John Deer 350 bulldozer, a well-used Case 580 backhoe, and a rusty 1965 Chevy dump truck work on the project began. Working alongside was his son Tim and a small group of wonderful hired help. It took summer after summer of cutting fairways through the woods, burying water lines, building greens and tees, making benches and signs, and planting grass and trees. Eventually, some seven or eight years later, the Crane Meadow Golf Course sign went up and the golf course was open for business.

After retiring from teaching, Jerry and his wife Sharon were able to spend 14 winters in Florida escaping the Wisconsin cold. He enjoyed golfing, nature viewing, and calling to family back in Wisconsin to let them know how warm it was in Florida.

In the summer, especially after selling the golf course, he enjoyed spending time with Sharon at their cottage on Manson Lake near Rhinelander. They enjoyed puttering around on their pontoon boat and listening to the loons.

He enjoyed hunting, spending time in the outdoors, warm fires in the wood stove, and planting trees. Hundreds and hundreds of trees.

Survivors include his sister Joan (Jerry) Zwicky of Green Bay, son Tim (Renee) Feathers of Weston, grandson Ryan Feathers of Madison, granddaughter Kendra (Feathers) Gilbertson and her husband James of Rothschild, and twin great grandsons Walter and Leopold Gilbertson.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, and his son John William Feathers.

In honoring Gerald’s wishes, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

His family would like to express their appreciation to the Aspirus hospice folks that worked with him to allow him to spend so many of his last months in his home as he wished. We would also like to thank the incredible team at the Wausau Aspirus palliative care unit. Their outstanding professionalism, kindness, and compassion were comforting not only to Gerald in his last days, but to his family as well.

Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel, Weston, is assisting the family with arrangements.