Jerold William Breitenbach

Jerold William Breitenbach was born on March 20, 1946, to parents Ruth and Ernest Breitenbach in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The family settled in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a prosperous suburb north of Milwaukee along the shores of Lake Michigan, where young Jerold would spend his formative years. The Breitenbach family's residence at 5268 N. Idlewild Avenue, documented in the 1956-57 Whitefish Bay Fox Point Directory, reflected their stable middle-class standing in this well-established community.

Ernest Breitenbach operated a travel agency, an occupation that would prove formative for his son's later interests in travel planning and cruise vacations. The family's German heritage, evident in the Breitenbach surname which traces to Hessen, Germany, would remain an important cultural connection throughout Jerold's life, particularly through his love of German cuisine and traditions.

Jerold's education began at Saint Monica School in Whitefish Bay, where he received his elementary and early secondary education in a Catholic environment that emphasized both academic excellence and moral formation. He continued his education at Marquette University High School, an all-boys Jesuit college preparatory institution in Milwaukee known for its rigorous academic program and emphasis on service to others.

At Marquette University, Jerold pursued a degree with a major in psychology and a minor in chemistry, demonstrating both his interest in human behavior and his facility with scientific reasoning. During his college years, he met Janet O'Donnell, born July 22, 1928, in Wisconsin to William Joseph O'Donnell and Annie McDonald. Despite an eighteen-year age difference, their connection proved lasting, beginning a relationship that would endure for fifty-six years of marriage.

Following his undergraduate education, Jerold was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. Rather than being deployed to Southeast Asia, he served as a medic in Finthen, Germany, where he gained valuable experience in emergency medical care and witnessed human suffering that would shape his later commitment to service. This military experience, though stationed away from direct combat, exposed him to the realities of medical emergency response and the importance of competent, compassionate care for those in need.

After completing his military service, Jerold returned to Marquette University to pursue his law degree. Upon graduation, he began his legal career in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he would spend the majority of his professional life. His career trajectory demonstrated a commitment to public service, beginning with positions as Assistant City Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, roles that provided him with experience in municipal law and criminal prosecution.

A significant milestone in Jerold's judicial career came when he served a term as Circuit Court Judge in Kenosha County. His judicial service is documented in the notable Wisconsin Supreme Court case Ford v. Kenosha County (1991), where he had authorized a bench warrant that later became the subject of appellate litigation regarding judicial immunity. Following his judicial service, he built a successful private legal practice, establishing himself as a respected member of the Kenosha legal community and serving actively in the Kenosha Bar Association.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jerold was deeply committed to community service and civic engagement. He served on and led numerous local boards and charities, including the Kiwanis Breakfast Club and First United Day Care. His faith-based service included teaching Catholic religious education (CCD) classes, where he helped transmit Catholic values to younger generations. He was also a committed volunteer at the Soup Kitchen program, where he prepared and served meals for those experiencing food insecurity, demonstrating his belief in direct service to the vulnerable.

Jerold's commitment to helping others extended to his regular blood donation, a practice he maintained throughout his adult life. He was always available to family members who needed assistance with handyman projects, earning a reputation as someone who was "just a phone call away" when relatives needed practical help.

Family life brought Jerold his greatest joy, centered around his marriage to Janet, whom he had married following his military service. Janet predeceased him on October 10, 2015, ending their fifty-six-year partnership. Together they raised daughters and lived to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating a multi-generational family that gathered regularly for the Sunday dinners that became Jerold's signature tradition.

These Sunday family dinners showcased Jerold's considerable culinary skills and his connection to his German heritage. He would spend entire days preparing elaborate meals, specializing in dishes like beef stroganoff, turkey with pear gravy, and German favorites including schnitzel and spaetzle. These gatherings became cherished family traditions that brought multiple generations together around the table he lovingly prepared.

Jerold's recreational interests reflected his lifelong connection to Wisconsin. He was an enthusiastic Milwaukee Brewers fan, maintaining season tickets at County Stadium for many years during the team's time at that historic venue. He enjoyed weekly golf league participation, combining his love of outdoor recreation with social engagement. As a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, he found particular joy in attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events, cheering them on from the sidelines.

Drawing on his early experience working at his parents' travel agency, Jerold developed a passion for travel planning, particularly cruise vacations. He found great satisfaction not just in traveling, but in the detailed planning and research that went into creating memorable travel experiences for his family.

Throughout his career and community involvement, Jerold maintained a strong commitment to equal access to justice. He believed deeply that "everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserves compassionate and capable legal representation," a principle that guided both his professional choices and his philanthropic interests. This commitment is reflected in his request that memorial donations be made to the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, an organization dedicated to providing legal aid to low-income Wisconsin residents.

In his later years, Jerold relocated from the Kenosha area to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee County suburb where he resided until his death in early 2026. At the time of his passing at age 79, he had lived to see four generations of descendants and had built a legacy of professional achievement, community service, and family devotion that exemplified his values of service, justice, and compassion.