Ronald P. Jaeger

Ronald P. Jaeger, age 85, of Lake Bluff, passed away Thursday morning, March 18, 2021 at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone. He was born on March 25, 1935 in Escanaba, the son of Peter Fredrick and Anna Rose (Steinmetz) Jaeger. Ron was raised and attended school in Escanaba and was a 1953 graduate of St. Joseph High School. Following graduation, Ron sailed on the Great Lakes for a short period of time. Ronald married the former Verna Valiquette on December 30, 1954 at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. Together, the couple shared 66 years of marriage and raised 6 children. He began his working career at a young age working in the woods for his father’s business, Peter Jaeger & Sons. A tradition for many years was for Peter, John, and Ron to travel to Chicago and sell Christmas trees together and to return home on Christmas Eve. Ron and his brother, John, continued on their father’s business, renaming it Jaeger Brother’s Construction. Together, they formed not only a wonderful partnership but also an inseparable friendship – working together every day and traveling everywhere together. While building up the business, Ron worked for the company during the day and would work at Harnischfeger Corporation at night. There were many jobs in Delta County area that the Jaeger Brother’s worked on – including the construction and development of Lake Bluff. The Jaeger Brother’s ran their construction business until their retirement. Ron co-owned and operated Northern Marine & Sports Villa from 1975 into the 1980s, where they sold Yamaha motorcycles, snowmobiles, and Silverline boats. He was a lifetime practicing Catholic, a member of the Escanaba Elks Club 354, the Operating Engineers 50-year member, both the Moose and Elks Clubs in Florida, and a member of the Rough Riders Group. Ron and Verna loved to travel the world and took many trips in their motorhome, including Mexico. During retirement, they summered at their various cottages in the area and also wintered in Florida. Ron always made sure his family came first and took the time to spend with them. Each summer, he made sure to take the family on a trip somewhere. Sunday’s were also a family day in the Jaeger household as many would come over to eat a meal and spend the day together.

Ronald P. Jaeger is survived by his loving wife, Verna Jaeger of Lake Bluff; children, Thomas (Jody) Jaeger of Stonington, Susan (Mark) Bader of Lake Bluff, Karen (Rick) Servant of Escanaba, Renee Jaeger (Peter Lavender) of Cheboygan, MI, and Sherry (Patrick) Dagenais of Escanaba; daughter-in-law, Luanne (Steve) Glovacki of Gladstone; 18 grandchildren, Eric, Jason, Nick, Alex, Karl, Kaleigh, Breanna, Shanna, Ian, Tammy, Stephanie, Beth, Ann Marie, Brandon, Brittany, Jessica, Brent, and Mitchell; 23 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way; brother, John (Maxine) Jaeger of Escanaba; brother-in-law, Howie Latva of Escanaba; several nieces and nephews; and lifetime friend, Tom Gafner.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his son, Ronald John Jaeger in 1997; and his sister, Joann Latva in 2012.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021 at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Father James Ziminski officiating. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the funeral services. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Escanaba. In lieu of flowers, the Jaeger family requests memorials be directed to the Holy Name Endowment Fund or the Delta County Cancer Alliance. 

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