Jerome Michael Niznik

Jerome Michael Niznik passed away peacefully April 9, 2025, at the age of 84 in Glendale, Arizona, after a sudden illness.

Born September 25, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jerry was the second child of Walter and Stella Niznik.  As a young boy, he fondly remembered trips to Wisconsin to visit his uncle at his cranberry farm.  After graduating from De La Salle High School (before which he and his friends played a senior prank by pouring soap into a neighboring waterfall), Jerry moved to Phoenix and began working at Sperry Rand (now Honeywell) as an aeronautical engineer where he established many lifelong friendships.  Noted for his mentorship and guidance, Jerry often took his newer coworkers under his wing, offering support and sharing his accumulated knowledge of aerospace over the span of 50 plus years.  He is remembered and missed by his many friends and colleagues.

In 1964, Jerry married Susan Anders and, together, they raised a family, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In 2023, he realized a lifelong dream when he traveled to Poland, his ancestral country.

Raised a devout Catholic, Jerry was known for his kindness, his calm reserve, and his dependability. His humor was clever and often tinged with sarcasm and he had a fondness for the occasional playful, cheesy joke that made everyone smile.  He loved trips to Mexico walking along the beach, his pets, and, above all, his family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Walter Niznik, his mother, Stella Niznik, his brother Arnold Niznik, and his son, Steven Wille.

As husband and trusted companion, Jerry is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristine and Jace Nordstrom; his grandchildren, Jeffrey and Crystal Wille, Emma Wille, Anna Wille, Miranda Nordstrom, and Dakota Nordstrom; his great-grandchildren, Drake Wille, Caden Wille, Elowen Cole, and Imogen Nordstrom; and his nieces and nephews.

The anchor and foundation of our family, we are deeply grateful for our countless cherished memories of our dad, our grandpa, our Poppy, our Pops, our uncle- we love you.  You will always be in our hearts.