Jeffry Donald Koosmann

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Jeffry Donald Koosmann, 53, of Mellen, Wis., passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, due to complications from his recent stem cell transplant.

Jeff was born May 23, 1961, in Fort Riley, Kan., the son of Donald W. and Annette L. (Mattson) Koosmann. On June 24, 2006, he was united in marriage to Sheryl L. Hamilton in Mellen.

Jeff was diagnosed with the blood cancer Polycythemia Vera, 25 years ago; five years ago it transitioned to the more severe blood cancer Myelofibrosis. Jeff fought courageously until the very end. He didn’t give up the fight, his body just gave out.

Jeff was an avid athlete and actively involved in baseball throughout his life. He was a proud member of the Mellen Rockies baseball team and enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of his teammates immensely. He enjoyed watching local and school sports and was a mentor to many local athletes, encouraging them not only to strive to be better on the courts and fields, but also how to be the best people they could be. He loved passing on his knowledge and passion for sports to anyone he engaged in conversation. He lived his life with great faith and compassion. He had a way of making everyone he met feel at home and welcomed. His gentle spirit and kind smile will be remembered by his many family and friends. Jeff never liked to have a fuss made over him, but he was touched and amazed that so many people cared and supported him on his journey. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mellen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sheryl, of Mellen; the prettiest and best cat ever, Ce Ce; sister, Julie (Mark) Jaeger, of Mellen; brother, Steve (Wendy), of Mellen; cousins-by-birth-brothers-at-heart, John Koosmann, Ken Koosmann and Derek Heglund, all of Mellen; nieces, Margaret, Angelena and Faye Koosmann, all of Mellen; Ashley, Amanda and Alyssa Hamilton, and Casey Baudin, all of Hancock, Wis.; and nephews, Kevin Grenier, of Nashville, Tenn., and Tim (Rose) Grenier of Ripon, Wis., as well as special nephew, Brody and niece, Blair. He is further survived by four great-nephews, one great-niece and a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Toivo and Sylvia Mattson; paternal grandparents, Bill and Frieda Koosmann; and an uncle, Darryl Mattson.

A funeral service for Jeff will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mellen, with Rev Shawn W. Andersen officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the church in Mellen and continue on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Interment will take place in Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Cozy Valley, Mellen.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Mellen and Ashland, Wis.

Online condolences for Jeff’s family may be left at MountainFuneralHomes.com.