Eric Jaeger

Eric C. Jaeger, age 50, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Eric was born December 6, 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin and lived in McFarland Wisconsin until his 1980 graduation from McFarland High School.

In 1982 Eric graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in Fire Science. He served as a volunteer firefighter with Fitchburg and McFarland, and joined the Air National Guard where he also served as a Fire Technician for many years. In 1987 he joined the Dane County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff, a job he continued until his death.

Eric was an avid hunter, fisherman, and motorcyclist. His love of the outdoors was expressed in deer stands, duck blinds, pheasant fields, on lakes and rivers, at the cabin in Ladysmith and of course on his Harley. Eric was proud to serve with the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization of riders who provide support to the families of fallen heroes of the military.

In 2004 he helped form the Wisconsin chapter of the Warthogs motorcycle club, and served as its President until his death. He took countless trips to Warthog events over the years, as well as many trips taken for the sheer love of cycling. In 2010 he completed an "Epic journey": a 3 week solo motorcycle trip in the western United States. This trip marked the completion of a goal to have driven in all lower 48 states on a motorcycle by the age of 48.

Eric's life was perhaps best characterized by the words camaraderie and brotherhood. Any group of which Eric was a member will long remember his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and most especially his unique, sarcastic wit.

Without a doubt, Eric felt his greatest accomplishments were his children, Kelsey and Matthew. His pride in them was evident every day, and he was happiest when he knew that they were happy.

Eric was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Conrad and Ruth Jaeger of McFarland. He is survived by his wife Sue, his daughter Kelsey and son Matthew, his parents Bill and Mikki Jaeger, his brother Mike(Barb) Jaeger, his aunts and uncles Connie (Rich)Reiter of McFarland and Bill (Anne) Streeter of Kentucky, his cousins Tom(Terri) Reiter, Jerry (Dawn) Reiter, Tim Streeter, Chris Streeter, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2012, from 3 until 7pm at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI, 53705. A memorial service will take place at 11 am on Friday, April 27, 2012 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., with visitation from 10am until the time of service at the funeral home.