NEW GLARUS – Ernest Walter Jaggi, age 89 passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at his home. He was born January 1, 1931 the son of Fritz and Margrit (Jossi) Jaggi in Innertkirchen (Canton Bern), Switzerland. Ernie attended school for nine years and then had a two-year agriculture apprenticeship in Aargau. He also took two winter semesters at the farmers’ college, Rutti College, in Zollikofen. Ernie was then hired as a foreman on a farm which was a castle in the French part of Switzerland (Salavaux, Canton Vd.). After four years working and being then rejected by the Swiss Army for a bad heart, Ernie decided to go to the US in 1955. He worked for the Happy Home Cheese Factory located between Darlington and Mineral Point. During that time, he went to night school in Monroe to study for US citizenship. After four years of working, he went back to Switzerland and met a waitress, Therese Brügger, who wanted to visit her sister in Monroe. Both Ernie and Therese came to America by the fastest steamship, the US United States. Therese had returned to Switzerland and had to apply for immigration. Two years later she was allowed to come back to the US by way of a lottery system. On October 28, 1962 they were married at a German service at Swiss Church by Rev. Nuss. Ernie worked for Town Hall Cheese Factory for 25 years and then was the manager for the Chalet Landhaus for 15 years. Ernie retired at age 64, but continued working as a manager of the car washes in Monroe and New Glarus. He worked until the New Glarus car wash was torn down. Ernie was a loyal member of the New Glarus Yodel Klub and the New Glarus Maennerchor for 56 years. He performed at the annual German Wilhelm Tell play in a variety of roles. Ernie was a proficient artist; his paintings of Swiss landscapes can be found throughout the area. He was well known for entertaining at restaurants and social events with his yodeling and delightful humor. Ernie and Therese were past Monroe Cheese Days king and queen.
Ernie is survived by his daughter, Annamarie (Stefan) Von Siebenthal; sister, Trudi (George) Gansner; brother, Theo (Helen) Jaggi; sister-in-law Madi Jaggi; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Fritz; and wife, Therese.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 Fifth Ave., New Glarus, WI with Pastor Petra Streiff officiating.
A gathering of relatives and friends will precede the memorial service from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.
Memorials are suggested to the Monroe Clinic Hospice or the Swiss United Church of Christ.
Online condolences may be given at www.bealfuneralhomes.com
