History

Age 72, of Nashotah, WI and Bonita Springs, FL was born to Eternal Life at his residence in Bonita Springs on Tuesday night, March 2, 2004.

He was born May 15, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Paul and Henrietta Verbeten LaLonde. He was a graduate of Milwaukee Technical High School and joined the Army in 1950. He served in Korea with the 112th Infantry Division and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1953. He worked as a surveyor with his father and as an engineer with the cities of West Allis and Milwaukee. He became a key employee with Zignego Contractors before starting his own construction company. Jerry founded LaLonde Contractors, Inc. in 1984 and held the title of President. He was past president of the Milwaukee County Pavers Association and Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association, member of the American Concrete Pavement Association, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, American Road & Transportation Bulders Association, Associated Builder & Contractors, Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association and Valle Rod and Gud Club. Jerry was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church of Bonita Springs and St. Joan of Arc's of Okauchee and a Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Marilyn (Ernster); 10 children daughters, Paulette (Bob) Field of East Troy, WI, Jerilyn (Jeff) Natrop of Wauwatosa, WI, Lorna (Bruce) Mueller of Brookfield, WI, Margaret (Bill) Huettner of Wauwatosa, WI, Shelly LaLonde of Milwaukee, WI, Mary (Tony) Mastronardo of Hubertus, WI; sons, Peter LaLonde of Hartford, WI, John (Carey) LaLonde of Mayville, WI, Michael (Tracy) LaLonde of Cedarburg, WI, Mark (Shayla) LaLonde of Shorewood WI; sisters, Loretta Wambach of Sun Prairie, WI and Lucienne Bittl of Ventura, CA; 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Jerry enjoyed his family and friends to the fullest, his friendly smile and quick wit will be missed.

Marilyn Margaret (Ernster) LaLonde, 94, of Cedarburg, WI, passed away on February 5, 2026, from age-related complications, surrounded by her loving family.

Marilyn was born on December 9, 1931, in Milwaukee, WI, the eldest of ten children born to Edward and Eleanor (Placereani) Ernster. Before her marriage, she worked at Schuster’s Department Store and in the office of her father’s business, Northwestern Laundry.

Marilyn married Jerome Joseph LaLonde on April 24, 1954, at St. Catherine’s Church, with Jerome Kies and Rosemary Hermann serving as their witnesses. Their love story began on a blind date on New Year’s Day in 1952, and they remained devoted to one another until Jerome’s death on March 2, 2004. Their lasting commitment served as an inspiration to their 10 children, 23 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

While Marilyn took pride in her home, she truly excelled as a mother and a gracious hostess. She enjoyed shopping, golfing, and entertaining, and was the primary source of encouragement for her husband to establish LaLonde Contractors Inc. Marilyn and Jerry were known for their hospitality, hosting countless gatherings including holiday parties, Super Bowl celebrations, and poolside weekends. She was always ready to welcome guests with her signature phrase, “What can I get you? Have something.”

She is survived by her children and their families: Paulette (Robert) Field, Matthew (Stacy) Field, and Paul (Valerie) Field; Jerilyn (Jeffery) Natrop, Molly (Trevor) Morris, Emily (Christie) Kolaga, and Max (Amanda) LaLonde; Lorna (Bruce) Mueller and Elle (Liam) Berry; Margaret (William) Huettner, Jeremy (Colleen) Gerschke, and Jennifer (Dennis) Iwanski; Shelly LaLonde and Indie LaLonde; Mary (Anthony) Mastronardo, Celina, and Gabrielle Mastronardo; Peter (Evelyn) LaLonde, Genevieve, and Isabelle LaLonde; John LaLonde; Michael (Tracy) LaLonde, Francesca, Raquel, Tess, and Mason LaLonde; and Mark (Shayla) LaLonde, Caden, Chase, Luke, Reese, and Quinn LaLonde.

She is also survived by her siblings Michael Ernster, Elizabeth Filetti, Cathy Deschene, and Christine Goldstein.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome; her grandson, Shawn Thomas Mueller; her parents, Edward and Eleanor Ernster; her siblings Richard, Donald, and George Ernster, Barbara Preo, and Suzanna Bartelt; and her beloved dog, Winston.