Jeremiah James (Jerry) Edwards, age 92, of Rice Lake, WI, passed away Wednesday March 25, 2026. He was born Tuesday January 9, 1934 at home in Radisson, Wisconsin to Charles Lee Edwards and Martha (Massey) Edwards and was the youngest of five children. He attended Radisson school except for a short time at an Eleva Wisconsin country school.

Jerry started working at the age of 16 for the Radisson feed mill along with working the family farm. After a short time at the mill, he went to work at Lampert yards driving truck. In 1960 he became manager of the Cumberland Lampert yard and in 1965 he transferred to Barron Lampert yard as manager. In 1973 he was asked to be an outside salesman for five of the area yards, then became the Rice Lake yard assistant manager, and retired in 1999 as the over-the-counter sales person.

Jerry attended and taught Sunday school at Cumberland and Barron Lutheran Churches. He was a member of the Masonic Lodges and Eastern Star at Cumberland and Barron. He also was a member of the Rice Lake Elks Lodge. After retirement he worked for Don Johnson Motors doing dealer trades and volunteered at Lake View Medical Center in Rice Lake. In 1954 he married Fern Peterson together they had a daughter Teresa. They later divorced and in 1968 he married Ruby Arlene (Cole) Kuhrt and became step-father to her son Dennis.

Ruby passed away 1977 after a several year battle with cancer. In 1978 married Eileen (Miller) Leach together they built their home they lived in for 43 years. He enjoyed camping and fishing, especially the many years of Canadian trips catching several trophy fish. They also enjoyed spending the winter months in Mesa Arizona returning to almost spring, the first of April. They enjoyed the weather, casinos, looking up their genealogy, and time with Jerry’s family members in the area. He and Eileen had a large garden with vegetables, rhubarb, raspberries and beautiful flowers.

He is survived by his daughter Teresa Wardell, Step-children LaVar (Jim) Lashmett, Greg (Lisa) Leach, Rebecca (Terry) Sadowski, 12 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and one cousin Verlan (Mary) Edwards.

He was preceded in death by his wife Eileen, previous wife Ruby, her son Dennis, his parents, sisters Frances (Henry) Gauthier, Faye (Kenneth) Miraole, brothers Franklin (Dorothy) Edwards, Charles (Ellen) Edwards, sister-in-law Palma (Gunderson) Edwards. All of his aunts and uncles, all cousins of his generation except one cousin of his own age, and great-grandson Cody Wardell.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, WI, Jane Snowden officiating, with interment in the Orchard Beach Cemetery in Rice Lake.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Shriners.

Last Update: Mar 27, 2026 9:08 am CDT