Jeff Ader

Jeff Ader, 72, of Random Lake was taken home by his savior on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at Gables on the Pond in Random Lake.

Jeff was born on May 27, 1954, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington to Hug0 and Florence (nee Lutzke) Ader. He grew up in Waubeka and resided there until Nov. 2, 1985, when he married Wendy Wallner at St. John Lutheran Church in Fredonia. 

He was a lifelong member of St. John, where he was baptized, married and served for many years as an usher and an elder of the congregation. He will also be interred at St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Jeff attended Port Washington High School and graduated with the Class of 1973. 

He became a proud member of the Ironworker’s Local Union #8 in 1975, served his apprenticeship and became a journeyman ironworker, actively working until his retirement in 2015. As an ironworker, he worked on a number of high-profile projects, including Miller Park, the Calatrava at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Dan Hoan Bridge and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

In retirement, Jeff had more time for fishing. He enjoyed a number of fishing trips to Canada with family and friends. He loved spending time at the family cottage on Columbus Lake near Eagle River. Fishing, hunting, trapshooting and traveling were favorite activities that he had been involved with since he was young.

He was preceded in death by parents Hugo and Florence and his brother and sister-in-law Frank and Carla Ader, as well as parents-in-law Fred and Patricia Wallner.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 41 years, Wendy, their son James, brother Karl (Audrey) Ader and brothers and sisters-in-law David (Sarah) Wallner and Richard (Donna) Wallner, along with aunt Bev, nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. 

A service for Jeff will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church, 824 Fredonia Ave., Fredonia, Wis. The family will greet guests at the church from 10 a.m. until the service at noon. He will be placed at St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church in Fredonia.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Gables on the Pond Memory Care Unit and the wonderful women and men who took care of Jeff and loved to see him smile. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Lily Hospice for their loving care as well. 

Eernisse Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ader family. 

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.