Gerald Arthur Blomgren

Gerald Arthur "Jerry" Blomgren, 70, of Janesville, Wisconsin, passed away on September 5, 2026, in Janesville. He was born March 24, 1956, in Beloit, Wisconsin.

At a very early age, Jerry learned the skills of bricklaying from his Uncle Don, picking up a trowel and learning a trade that would shape the rest of his working life. He went on to found Superior Builders and Concrete, which he operated for decades, building a name for himself as a craftsman who did the job right. That creativity and skill, paired with an unmatched work ethic and speed, earned him a nickname that stuck for life: "Lickety Split," or simply "Lick" to the friends and crews who knew him best.

Jerry was not a man who minced words. If you were working too slow, too fast or charging too much, he would tell you. A good idea got a nod of approval; a bad one got exactly the response you’d deserve. He was also known affectionately as "Jer Bear" — a fitting nickname for a man who could be gruff and tough on the outside, but had a big heart underneath. Jerry was fiercely loyal and protective of the people he loved, and he was always there with his tools, his time, and his know-how when family or friends needed a hand. He was happy to pass his skills on to anyone willing to learn. He was a good storyteller — one who never let the facts get in the way of a good story, and whose tales certainly improved with each retelling.

Jerry was an outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and on the water in Florida. He was happy having a fishing line in the lake or the open road ahead of him on one of his Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was always looking for the next project, and true to form, he was still scouting properties to buy in Florida in the last few months before his death.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Treva (Dodge) Blomgren; his uncle, Don Dodge; and Peggy (Dodge) Wing.

He is survived by his family: Barb Bortner of Janesville; his children, Jami (Jeremy) Bennett of Westhampton, NY, Maddie (Joe) Purdue of Boston, MA, Nick Blomgren of Green Bay, and Jack Blomgren and Dan Blomgren of Janesville; his grandchildren, Abigail, Jakob and Zachary Bennett and Josephine and Daniella Purdue; his brother, John of Oregon; his sister, Angie (Wade) Linton of Wisconsin Dells; his brother, Billy Hudson of Happy Hollow; Tim (Heather) Wing of Fort Atkinson; Tammy Alvarado of Fort Atkinson, along with many other relatives, friends, and members of the crews he worked alongside over the years.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 10 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm at The Anchor Inn in Newville, followed by a Celebration of Life from 6:00-9:00 pm.