Jay M Ferkovich

Jay M. Ferkovich, age 56, of Green Bay, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023, surrounded by family.  Jay was born in La Crosse, WI, on March 29, 1966, the son of James and Janalee (Wollerman) Ferkovich. He was the middle child, sandwiched between his older brother Christopher and younger sister Heidi. In his younger years, the family moved to Park Falls, WI, where Jay developed a passion for sports and was blessed with lifelong friends. He graduated from Park Falls High School in 1984 and was a basketball, football, and baseball varsity letter winner. He helped his team get to the state championship for basketball in 1984.

Following high school, Jay enrolled in college at UW-Platteville and played football all four years. He later finished college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Jay worked briefly in Madison; then, the family moved to Green Bay, where Jay fostered a 28-year career at Krueger International (KI). Jay especially enjoyed spending time in the plant, working with his friends and colleagues.

Everyone who knew Jay knows that his family was extremely important to him. Jay fell in love with and married his soulmate and best friend, Stacy Welk, on September 3, 1994. They created a family having two children, Aaron and Katerina. His children and life with Stacy were the one thing that Jay was most proud of. His family meant everything to him.

He wore his heart on his sleeve. Friends always knew Jay would be there to laugh with you, to cry with you, and to call it like it was. Whether watching Aaron’s baseball team pull out a last effort win on the baseball diamond, standing in the Pirate endzone during a football championship game, or supporting his daughter in her many projects at school or work, Jay was there both physically and emotionally. He lived 150% in the moment and experienced life with those around him.

We rest easy knowing that he is at home with Jesus. Jay’s heart and soul belonged to God. He freely shared his faith, a prayer, and a bible verse. He lived his life verse Galatians 2:20, NIV: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

He is survived by the love of his life Stacy and their two children Aaron and Katerina; his mother Janalee Ferkovich; his brother Christopher Ferkovich; his sister Heidi (Bruce) Peterson; sister-in-law Amy (Kurt) Thieding; nieces Casey (Mark) Roeder, Savannah (Patrick) Canik; nephews Noah Peterson and Drew Thieding; mother-in-law Janet Welk; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  Jay was preceded in death by his father, James “Jim” Ferkovich; father-in-law John Welk and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Green Bay Community Church in Howard, WI, with pastor Hayden Davidson officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., with the service to follow at 11 a.m.