Jack Mathew Priester

Priester, Jack MADISON-Jack Priester, age 68, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare. From the very beginning, Jack took his diagnosis of cancer in his stride, facing all adversities with his typical calm, sage-like demeanor and stoicism. Jack was born on June 29, 1946, in Milwaukee, the son of Virginia Arnezeder and Francis Priester. He grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Pius High School in 1964. Jack went on to earn degrees from UW-Whitewater in 1969 followed by a law degree from Marquette Law School in 1972. Jack began his legal career at American Family Insurance and soon went on to prosecute for the Dane County District Attorney's Office. After five years as a prosecutor, he left to begin a long and successful career in private practice as a criminal defense attorney. Jack practiced criminal law from 1978 until 2014, first with the firm of Eisenberg, Giesen, Ewers and Hayes, which later reformed as Louderman, Hayes, VanCamp, Priester, Strother and Schwartz. In 2000 Jack went solo and spent the next 14 years representing clients in the courts of southern Wisconsin. He earned the respect of prosecutors and defense attorneys everywhere for his integrity and trial ability. One experienced judge said, "If Jack Priester brought a motion, that meant there was a substantial issue I would need to address." Jack's career encompassed hundreds of cases from traffic tickets to first degree homicide. His most recent victory came in a Court of Appeals ruling that upheld the dismissal Jack sought based on the extensive record preserved by the defense. For 35 years Jack was the treasurer of the Dane County Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and the host of the group's annual summer picnic. Jack enjoyed travel to many countries, spending time at his home on Fox Lake, and RV trips with Sheena to the UP and Canada. He was especially fond of his two golf groups, one at Monona Golf Course and the other at Old Hickory in Beaver Dam. Jack is survived by his wife and soul mate, Sheena; sister, Carol Wenzler; niece, Lori Drinkwater; nephew, David John (Michele) Wenzler; great-nieces, Dana, Caroline, Hope, Natalie, and Jacob; and cousins, Connie (Larry) Lauer and Chuck Maier. He was preceded in death by his parents; niece, Linda Wenzler; brother-in-law, David Wenzler; uncle, Daniel (Mary) Priester; aunt, Mary Jane (Charles) Maier; and three special dogs, Sam, Otis, and Biff. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A celebration of Jack's life will be held on at ESSEN HAUS RESTAURANT AND BAR, 514 E. Wilson St., Madison, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. Sheena wishes to thank the medical staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion shown to Sheena and Jack. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420