Gerard “Jerry” Gouge age 69, of Hudson, WI formerly of Hayward,WI passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Regions Hospital after a brief illness. Jerry was born in Hayward, WI, on June 14, 1950 to parents Girard “Toy” and Doris Gouge.  He grew up on Lac Court Oreilles Reservation. He attended St. Francis Solanus grade school and graduated from Hayward High School before earning his degree in History at UW-Superior. Jerry worked for the State of Wisconsin as an employment counselor and probation and parole officer in several Wisconsin cities before retiring in 2009. Jerry then moved from Verona, WI to Hudson to be closer to his mother in Spooner and his mother-in-law in Eau Claire.

Jerry’s greatest joys in life was traveling around the world with his wife JoAnn on cruises to the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, and Europe. Together they made many road trips to all 50 states and Canada and picked up his first of many National Park stamp at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. He even achieved a life goal of driving the entire coastline of the United States (except Alaska). Jerry also loved art and during his travels would go to art fairs and galleries looking for pottery and “naked tree and barn” pictures.  He also enjoyed sports, watching the Dallas Cowboys and playing baseball, softball, tennis touch football, golf and poker in his younger years.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 36 years, JoAnn Hium; brothers James (Kim Milam) Gougé and Randall Gougé; sister-in-law Carolyn Gougé, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces, as well as his entire Hium family. He is preceded in death by his parents Girard “Toy” and Doris Gougé; sisters Marybeth Thunder, Cecile Gougé and Lois Gougé; brothers Willard Gougé Sr., and Alan Gougé.

A memorial service for Jerry will be held at a later date. Memorials will be donated to the Lac Court Oreilles school system.