Gerald Joseph “Jerry” Lasak, age 60, of 1407 Center Street, Munising, died unexpectedly at his hunting camp of off the 440 on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. He was born on March 6, 1947 to Joseph and Lillian (Pearsic) Lasak. Jerry graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1965. He attended Ferris State University for two years. Jerry married Donna Mae Smith on June 24, 1967. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Education from Northern Michigan University. While teaching business classes at Eben High School, Jerry earned his Masters Degree in Administration from NMU. He became the Principal at Eben High School, served as the interim Superintendent during the merger of Trenary and Eben High Schools, returned to the Principal’s job so he could have more contact with the students, and retired as the Principal of Superior Central after twenty-six years of education and administration. Jerry then began his second career in 1994 as a real estate broker establishing his own company, Land & Lakes Real Estate. Jerry was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Marquette Alger Intermediate School District Board, Michigan Administration School Board, and the Chamber Board. He was also a member of the Michigan Association of School Principals, the Alger County Fish and Game Alliance and the Alger Hare Association. Jerry was a longtime friend and mediator to many. He loved hunting, fishing, spending summers at AuTrain Lake, and being outdoors. Jerry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather to his family.

Jerry is survived by his wife of over forty years – Donna; their children – Robynne (Ted) Woodaz, Rita (Dean) Seaberg, and Joe (Nicole) Lasak all of Munising; grandchildren – Mary, Abby, Wyatt, and Luke; sisters – Joanne (Jim) Aird of Wells and Connie (Del) Johnson of Escanaba; mother and father-in-law – Chuck and Betty Smith of Capac, MI; sisters-in-law – Connie (Rick) Edger of Georgia and Bonnie (Allan) Wilke of Alabama; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his rabbit hunting partners – Shiloh and Sheba, the beagles. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Lillian and Joseph Lasak.

Friends may call at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. A combined Parish Vigil and Knights of Columbus service will be held at 8:00 p.m. and during that time, there will be an opportunity for family and friends to share a thought or story. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Following the Mass, Jerry will be cremated and then interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery. If someone wishes to make a memorial contribution in memory of Jerry, the Alger County Historical Society, Alger County Animal Shelter, or memorial in Jerry’s name will be established at a later date.

Submitted by Char Livermore