Gerald D. "Jerry" Petitgoue

Gerald D. “Jerry” Petitgoue, 84, of Cuba City, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025 at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Church, Cuba City, Wisconsin with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Galena, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 3-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 13 at the Cuba City High School Gymnasium. Visitation will also be held Saturday from 9-10:45 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, prior to the service. Casey-McNett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Cuba City, Wisconsin, is assisting the family.

Jerry was born on August 5, 1940 in Galena, Illinois, the son of Donald and Helen (Beadle) Petitgoue. He graduated from Galena High School in 1958, and was a 1959 graduate of Midwest Broadcasting. In 1963, Jerry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Physical Education from the University of Dubuque. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education from UW-Platteville in 1967. Jerry was united in marriage to Joan M. Pandow on October 1, 1966 at St. Joseph’s Church in Gratiot, Wisconsin.

Jerry taught in Gratiot, Wisconsin for four years, Lena, Illinois for one year, and Galena, Illinois for three years before beginning his career at Cuba City High School where he proudly taught history for 32 years and coached basketball for 52 years. During his time in the classroom and on the court, Jerry positively influenced countless young people.

His contributions to basketball were legendary—he was the winningest coach in Wisconsin boys basketball history with 1,027 career victories. Jerry was deeply respected in the coaching community, serving as Director of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. His remarkable career earned him inductions into the University of Dubuque Hall of Fame, the UW-Platteville Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. In recognition of his impact on education and athletics, Jerry was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Dubuque and was presented the Hometown Hero Award by the Wisconsin State Assembly. Jerry organized hundreds of youth basketball camps throughout his career.

Jerry was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, and his faith was very important to him. Throughout his life, he was a devoted member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks. Jerry loved conversing with people everywhere he went and enjoyed speaking at gatherings. He enjoyed working for Tri-State Tours for ten years and was a diehard Cubs fan. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jerry will be remembered for his mild manner off the court, genuine sense of humor and down to earth nature.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Petitgoue, Cuba City, WI; three children, Michele (Scott) Walch, Peachtree Corners, GA, Mark Petitgoue, Milwaukee, WI, and Ryan Petitgoue, Cuba City, WI; six grandchildren, Tyler (Stephanie) Walch, Jacob Walch, Zack Walch, Bailey (Connor)O’Malley, Foster Petitgoue and Logan Petitgoue; a sister, Carol Dotzel, Stillman Valley, IL; and a brother-in-law, Mike (Lisa) Pandow, Waunakee, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, John Dotzel; and a sister-in-law, Nancy (Dave) McLinn.

Memorials in Jerry’s Name may be sent to the funeral home at 123 N. Jackson St., Cuba City, WI 53807.

The family would like to thank the staff and ICU of Finley Hospital and UW Hospital, Dr. Whalen, Dr. Schreiber, and the staff of Home Healthcare for their care of Jerry.